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
diathermic, diathermy, diathesis, diatom, diatomaceous, diatomaceous earth, diatomic, diatomite, diatonic, diatonicism, diatreme
Origin of diatomaceous earth
First recorded in 1880–85
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.