laterite

American  

[lat-uh-rahyt] / ˈlæt əˌraɪt /

noun

Geology.

1. a reddish ferruginous soil formed in tropical regions by the decomposition of the underlying rocks.

2. a similar soil formed of materials deposited by water.

3. any soil produced by the decomposition of the rocks beneath it.

---

laterite British  

/ ˌlætəˈrɪtɪk, ˈlætəˌraɪt /

noun

1. any of a group of deposits consisting of residual insoluble deposits of ferric and aluminium oxides: formed by weathering of rocks in tropical regions

---

laterite Scientific  

/ lăt′ə-rīt′ /

1. 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.

2. Also called latosol

3. See more at bauxite

---

Other Word Forms

• lateritic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of laterite

1800–10; < Latin later brick, tile + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

An expansive laterite plateau, which is flanked by cliffside fishing villages, mango orchards and ancient petroglyphs, is being acquired to make way for the world's largest petrochemical refinery in western India's ecologically fragile Konkan belt.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2023

Unlike many minerals that can be mined in deep excavations, which are relatively small in extent, this laterite nickel is widespread and shallow.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 8, 2022

The country also has ambitious plans of becoming a global hub for production of batteries and electric vehicles, to take advantage of its rich supplies of nickel laterite ore used in lithium batteries.

From Reuters • Aug. 18, 2021

Xoxisols or laterite soils are nutrient-poor soils found in tropical regions.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

Wild creepers burst through laterite banks and spill across the flooded roads.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy