oolite

[ oh-uh-lahyt ]

noun

, Geology.

1. a limestone composed of minute rounded concretions resembling fish roe, in some places altered to ironstone by replacement with iron oxide.

oolite

/ ˌəʊəˈlɪtɪk; ˈəʊəˌlaɪt /

noun

1. any sedimentary rock, esp limestone, consisting of tiny spherical concentric grains within a fine matrix

oolite

/ ō′ə-līt′ /

1. A sedimentary rock consisting of ooliths that are cemented together by calcium carbonate.

Derived Forms

• oolitic, adjective

Other Words From

• o·o·lit·ic [oh-, uh, -, lit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of oolite¹

1775–85; (< French oölithe ) < New Latin oölithēs. See oo-, -lite

Word History and Origins

Origin of oolite¹

C18: from French from New Latin oolitēs, literally: egg stone; probably a translation of German Rogenstein roe stone

Example Sentences

The tests indicated that it consisted of shale of the lower oolite, and the works were let accordingly.

From Project Gutenberg

Roggenstein, rog′en-stīn, n. a kind of oolite in which the grains are cemented by argillaceous matter.

From Project Gutenberg

Upper oolitic formation, including what are called Kimmeridge clay and Portland oolite.

From Project Gutenberg

And where are the mighty reptile tyrants of air, earth and water of the Oolite?

From Project Gutenberg

On the shore at Lossiemouth there is a patch of greenish white sandstones yielding fossils characteristic of the Lower Oolite.

From Project Gutenberg