ferruginous

[fuh-roo-juh-nuhs]

adjective

1. Geology.,  iron-bearing.

   ferruginous clays.

2. of the color of iron rust.

ferruginous

/ fɛˈruːdʒɪnəs /

adjective

1. (of minerals, rocks, etc) containing iron

   a ferruginous clay

2. rust-coloured

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferruginous¹

1655–65; < Latin ferrūginus rust-colored, derivative of ferrūgin-, stem of ferrūgō iron-rust, derivative of ferrum iron; -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferruginous¹

C17: from Latin ferrūgineus of a rusty colour, from ferrūgō iron rust, from ferrum iron