diatomite

American  

[dahy-at-uh-mahyt] / daɪˈæt əˌmaɪt /

noun

diatomites plural

1. Geology. a light-colored sedimentary rock composed mostly of the fossilized remains of diatoms and easily crumbled into diatomaceous earth.

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diatomite British  

/ daɪˈætəˌmaɪt /

noun

1. a soft very fine-grained whitish rock consisting of the siliceous remains of diatoms deposited in the ocean or in ponds or lakes. It is used as an absorbent, filtering medium, insulator, filler, etc See also diatomaceous earth

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diatomite Scientific  

/ dī-ăt′ə-mīt′ /

1. A fine, light-colored, friable sedimentary rock consisting mainly of the silica-rich cell walls of diatoms. Diatomite forms both in lacustrine and marine environments. It is used in industry as a filler, filtering agent, absorbent, abrasive, and insulator.

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• diatomites
  plural

Example Sentences

The fossils dating to the Miocene were encased in a type of fossilized algae called diatomite.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 2024

Behl said the diatomite tells him that the area was nutrient rich with algae that supported a complex ecosystem including dolphins, fish and whales that crowded the area for food.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 2024

“Those diatoms in that diatomite is what gives rise to the oil in Los Angeles” and the automobile and aeronautical industries, Hendy said.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 2024