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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for diatomite

Contemporary Examples of diatomite

The bluish pellets of diatomite soaked in hydrocyanic acid were poured through chutes.
My Visit To Hell
Christopher Buckley
January 30, 2009

Historical Examples of diatomite

Diatomite is principally used for the manufacture of dynamite on account of its value as an absorbent.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia
Various

British Dictionary definitions for diatomite

diatomite

noun

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, etcSee also 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

diatomite 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.

diatomite in Science

diatomite

[dī-ăt′ə-mīt′]

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.