laterite

[ lat-uh-rahyt ]

nounGeology.
  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.

  1. any soil produced by the decomposition of the rocks beneath it.

Origin of laterite

1
1800–10; <Latin later brick, tile + -ite1

Other words from laterite

  • lat·er·it·ic [lat-uh-rit-ik], /ˌlæt əˈrɪt ɪk/, adjective

Words Nearby laterite

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How to use laterite in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for laterite

laterite

/ (ˈlætəˌraɪt) /


noun
  1. any of a group of deposits consisting of residual insoluble deposits of ferric and aluminium oxides: formed by weathering of rocks in tropical regions

Origin of laterite

1
C19: from Latin later brick, tile

Derived forms of laterite

  • lateritic (ˌlætəˈrɪtɪk), adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for laterite

laterite

[ lătə-rīt′ ]


  1. 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.

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