ferruginous
Americanadjective
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Geology. iron-bearing.
ferruginous clays.
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of the color of iron rust.
adjective
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(of minerals, rocks, etc) containing iron
a ferruginous clay
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rust-coloured
Etymology
Origin of ferruginous
1655–65; < Latin ferrūginus rust-colored, derivative of ferrūgin-, stem of ferrūgō iron-rust, derivative of ferrum iron; see -ous
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.
In April, Washington’s Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council voted to trim the project by half, with restrictions to protect the natural skyline, Indigenous cultural resources and the endangered ferruginous hawk.
From Seattle Times ● May 28, 2024
The Audubon Society describes cactus ferruginous pygmy owls as hardy animals, hunting in near dawn and dusk on lizards, rodents, insects and small birds.
From Salon ● Dec. 15, 2023
Others come in one of the nearly infinite shades of brown that tax the vocabulary of avian taxonomists: rufous, fulvous, ferruginous, bran-coloured, foxy.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 23, 2018
Authorities say the annual Christmas Bird Count in the Twin Falls area has counted only 14 ferruginous hawks in the past 35 years.
From Washington Times ● Jan. 31, 2016
In Sussex the limestone and chert are usually lacking, but a ferruginous grit, “carstone,” occurs in lenticular masses and layers, which is used for road metal at Pulborough, Fittleworth, &c.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 5 "Greek Law" to "Ground-Squirrel" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
