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laterite
[ lat-uh-rahyt ]
/ ˈlæt əˌraɪt /
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noun Geology.
a reddish ferruginous soil formed in tropical regions by the decomposition of the underlying rocks.
a similar soil formed of materials deposited by water.
any soil produced by the decomposition of the rocks beneath it.
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Origin of laterite
1800–10; <Latin later brick, tile + -ite1
OTHER WORDS FROM laterite
lat·er·it·ic [lat-uh-rit-ik], /ˌlæt əˈrɪt ɪk/, adjectiveWords nearby laterite
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use laterite in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for laterite
laterite
/ (ˈlætəˌraɪt) /
noun
any of a group of deposits consisting of residual insoluble deposits of ferric and aluminium oxides: formed by weathering of rocks in tropical regions
Derived forms of laterite
lateritic (ˌlætəˈrɪtɪk), adjectiveWord Origin for laterite
C19: from Latin later brick, tile
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Scientific definitions for laterite
laterite
[ lăt′ə-rīt′ ]
A red, porous, claylike soil formed by the leaching of silica-rich components and enrichment of aluminum and iron hydroxides. They are especially common in humid climates. Laterites that are poor in iron oxides and rich in aluminum oxides are called bauxites. Also called latosol See more at bauxite.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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