argillite

[ ahr-juh-lahyt ]

noun
  1. any compact sedimentary rock composed mainly of clay materials; clay stone.

Origin of argillite

1
1785–95; <Latin argill(a) argil + -ite1

Other words from argillite

  • ar·gil·lit·ic [ahr-juh-lit-ik], /ˌɑr dʒəˈlɪt ɪk/, adjective

Words Nearby argillite

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How to use argillite in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for argillite

argillite

/ (ˈɑːdʒɪˌlaɪt) /


noun
  1. any argillaceous rock, esp a hardened mudstone

Origin of argillite

1
C18: from Latin argilla clay (from Greek argillos) + -ite 1

Derived forms of argillite

  • argillitic (ˌɑːdʒɪˈlɪtɪk), 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 argillite

argillite

[ ärjə-līt′ ]


  1. A highly compacted sedimentary or slightly metamorphic rock consisting primarily of particles of clay or silt. Argillite differs from mudstone in that it does not have the same fine laminations, and from shale and slate in that it is not fissile.

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