travertine

American

[trav-er-teen, -tin] / ˈtræv ərˌtin, -tɪn /

Also travertin

noun

a form of limestone deposited by springs, especially hot springs, used in Italy for building.

travertine British

/ ˈtrævətɪn /

noun

Also called: calc-sinter. a porous rock consisting of calcium carbonate, used for building

"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

travertine Scientific

/ trăv′ər-tēn′,-tĭn /

A white, tan, or cream-colored form of limestone, often having a fibrous or concentric appearance. Travertine is formed through the rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate, especially at the mouth of a hot spring or in limestone caves, where it forms stalactites and stalagmites. It is similar to but harder than tufa.

Etymology

Origin of travertine

1545–55; < Italian travertino, equivalent to tra- across (< Latin trāns- trans- ) + ( ti ) vertino < Latin Tīburtīnus, equivalent to Tīburt- (stem of Tīburs ) the territory of Tibur ( see Tivoli) + -īnus -ine ¹

Compare meaning

How does travertine compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

limestone vs. travertine

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On reaching the surface the pressure is relieved, the gas escapes, and the lime carbonate is thrown down in deposits called TRAVERTINE.

From The Elements of Geology by Norton, William Harmon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023