dolomite

American  

[doh-luh-mahyt, dol-uh-] / ˈdoʊ ləˌmaɪt, ˈdɒl ə- /

noun

1. a very common mineral, calcium magnesium carbonate, CaMg(CO3 ) 2 , occurring in crystals and in masses.

2. a rock consisting essentially or largely of this mineral.

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dolomite British  

/ ˈdɒləˌmaɪt, ˌdɒləˈmɪtɪk /

noun

1. a white mineral often tinted by impurities, found in sedimentary rocks and veins. It is used in the manufacture of cement and as a building stone (marble). Composition: calcium magnesium carbonate. Formula: CaMg(CO 3 ) 2 . Crystal structure: hexagonal (rhombohedral)

2. a sedimentary rock resembling limestone but consisting principally of the mineral dolomite. It is an important source of magnesium and its compounds, and is used as a building material and refractory

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dolomite Scientific  

/ dō′lə-mīt′,dŏl′ə-mīt′ /

1. A gray, pink, or white rhombohedral mineral. Dolomite occurs in curved saddlelike crystals with a pearly to glassy luster. It is a common rock-forming mineral. Chemical formula: CaMg(CO ₃ ) ₂ .

2. A sedimentary rock containing more than 50 percent of the mineral dolomite by weight.

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Other Word Forms

• dolomitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of dolomite

1785–95; < French, named after D. de Dolom ( ieu ) (1750–1801), French mineralogist; -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Moving into the chef’s kitchen, there are marble and dolomite countertops, a custom mosaic tile backsplash, a wine tap, and state-of-the-art appliances.

From MarketWatch

Chhattisgarh, for instance, is India's sole producer of tin concentrates and moulding sand, and a leading source of coal, dolomite, bauxite and high-grade iron ore, according to the ministry of mines.

From BBC

But in Last Chance Lake, calcium combines with plentiful carbonate as well as magnesium to form dolomite, the same mineral that forms picturesque mountain ranges.

From Science Daily

The secret to finally growing dolomite in the lab was removing defects in the mineral structure as it grows.

From Science Daily

Their formation is most common in easily erodible karst terrains with carbonate rocks, like limestone or dolomite, or minerals known as evaporites, like salt and gypsum.

From National Geographic