dolomite

[doh-luh-mahyt, dol-uh-]

noun

1. a very common mineral, calcium magnesium carbonate, CaMg(CO3 ) 2 , occurring in crystals and in masses.

2. a rock consisting essentially or largely of this mineral.

dolomite

/ ˈdɒləˌmaɪt, ˌdɒləˈmɪtɪk /

noun

1. a white mineral often tinted by impurities, found in sedimentary rocks and veins. It is used in the manufacture of cement and as a building stone (marble). Composition: calcium magnesium carbonate. Formula: CaMg(CO 3 ) 2 . Crystal structure: hexagonal (rhombohedral)

2. a sedimentary rock resembling limestone but consisting principally of the mineral dolomite. It is an important source of magnesium and its compounds, and is used as a building material and refractory

dolomite

1. A gray, pink, or white rhombohedral mineral. Dolomite occurs in curved saddlelike crystals with a pearly to glassy luster. It is a common rock-forming mineral. Chemical formula: CaMg(CO ₃ ) ₂ .

2. A sedimentary rock containing more than 50 percent of the mineral dolomite by weight.

Other Word Forms

• dolomitic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dolomite¹

1785–95; < French, named after D. de Dolom ( ieu ) (1750–1801), French mineralogist; -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of dolomite¹

C18: named after Déodat de Dolomieu (1750–1801), French mineralogist

Example Sentences

Moving into the chef’s kitchen, there are marble and dolomite countertops, a custom mosaic tile backsplash, a wine tap, and state-of-the-art appliances.

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Chhattisgarh, for instance, is India's sole producer of tin concentrates and moulding sand, and a leading source of coal, dolomite, bauxite and high-grade iron ore, according to the ministry of mines.

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But in Last Chance Lake, calcium combines with plentiful carbonate as well as magnesium to form dolomite, the same mineral that forms picturesque mountain ranges.

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The secret to finally growing dolomite in the lab was removing defects in the mineral structure as it grows.

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Their formation is most common in easily erodible karst terrains with carbonate rocks, like limestone or dolomite, or minerals known as evaporites, like salt and gypsum.

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