ferruginous
Americanadjective
-
Geology. iron-bearing.
ferruginous clays.
-
of the color of iron rust.
adjective
-
(of minerals, rocks, etc) containing iron
a ferruginous clay
-
rust-coloured
Etymology
Origin of ferruginous
1655–65; < Latin ferrūginus rust-colored, derivative of ferrūgin-, stem of ferrūgō iron-rust, derivative of ferrum iron; see -ous
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Because more than 100 of the turbines, which could stand taller than the Space Needle, might pose a danger to a little-known and endangered species in the Tri-Cities area: the ferruginous hawk.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 21, 2024
The Audubon Society describes cactus ferruginous pygmy owls as hardy animals, hunting in near dawn and dusk on lizards, rodents, insects and small birds.
From Salon • Dec. 15, 2023
Others come in one of the nearly infinite shades of brown that tax the vocabulary of avian taxonomists: rufous, fulvous, ferruginous, bran-coloured, foxy.
From The Guardian • Mar. 23, 2018
Authorities say the annual Christmas Bird Count in the Twin Falls area has counted only 14 ferruginous hawks in the past 35 years.
From Washington Times • Jan. 31, 2016
Anterior wings above ferruginous; posterior rufous, with three waved bands of black, between which are imperfect oval spots.
From Zoological Illustrations, Volume III or Original Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, or Interesting Animals by Swainson, William
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
