[lat-uh-rahyt] 
| 1. | a reddish ferruginous soil formed in tropical regions by the decomposition of the underlying rocks. |
| 2. | a similar soil formed of materials deposited by water. |
| 3. | any soil produced by the decomposition of the rocks beneath it. |
[lat-uh-rit-ik] , adjective | lat·er·ite (lāt'ə-rīt') n. A red residual soil formed by the leaching of silica and by enrichment with aluminum and iron oxides, especially in humid climates. [Latin later, brick + -ite1.] lat'er·it'ic (-rĭt'ĭk) adj. |
| laterite (lāt'ə-rīt') Pronunciation Key
A red, porous, claylike soil formed by the leaching of silica-rich components and enrichment of aluminum and iron hydroxides. They are especially common in humid climates. Laterites that are poor in iron oxides and rich in aluminum oxides are called bauxites. Also called latosol. See more at bauxite. |
əˌraɪt