diatomaceous earth

noun

a fine siliceous earth composed chiefly of the cell walls of diatoms: used in filtration, as an abrasive, etc.

Origin of diatomaceous earth

First recorded in 1880–85

Also called di·at·o·mite

[dahy-at-uh-mahyt] /daɪˈæt əˌmaɪt/, kieselguhr.

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British Dictionary definitions for diatomaceous earth

diatomaceous earth

noun

an unconsolidated form of diatomiteAlso called: kieselguhr

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

diatomaceous earth in Medicine

diatomaceous earth

[dī′ə-tə-mā′shəs, dī-ăt′ə-]

n.

A powder made of the desiccated shells of diatoms, used as a filtering agent, adsorbent, and abrasive in many chemical operations.