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diatomaceous earth

noun

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

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Nearby words

  1. diathermy,
  2. diathesis,
  3. diathetic,
  4. diatom,
  5. diatomaceous,
  6. diatomic,
  7. diatomite,
  8. diatonic,
  9. diatonicism,
  10. diatreme

Origin of diatomaceous earth

First recorded in 1880–85
Also called di·at·o·mite [dahy-at-uh-mahyt] /daɪˈæt əˌmaɪt/, kieselguhr.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

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

Medicine definitions for diatomaceous earth

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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.