limonite

[ lahy-muh-nahyt ]

/ ˈlaɪ məˌnaɪt /

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noun Mineralogy.

an amorphous hydrated ferric oxide, varying in color from dark brown to yellow, used as an ore of iron.

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Origin of limonite

1815–25; <Greek leimṓn meadow + -ite¹

OTHER WORDS FROM limonite

li·mo·nit·ic

[lahy-muh-nit-ik], /ˌlaɪ məˈnɪt ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby limonite

Límnos, limo, Limoges, Limón, limonene, limonite, Limousin, limousine, limousine liberal, limp, limpet

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use limonite in a sentence

Magnetite or magnetic iron ore, specular iron, and limonite are also oxides of iron.
Geology|James Geikie
The streak of limonite is yellow, thus distinguishing it from hematite.
Birds and all Nature, Vol. VI, No. 4, November 1899|Various
The powder and streak of limonite are always yellow; it is an important ore.
The A B C of Mining|Charles A. Bramble
In nature it is frequently altered to limonite with the separation of native sulphur.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 6|Various

Both ferrous carbonate and limonite, however, occur in irregular surface deposits.
North America|Israel C. Russell

British Dictionary definitions for limonite

limonite

/ (ˈlaɪməˌnaɪt) /

noun

a common brown, black, or yellow amorphous secondary mineral that consists of hydrated ferric oxides and is a source of iron. Formula: FeO(OH). n H 2 O

Derived forms of limonite

limonitic (ˌlaɪməˈnɪtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for limonite

C19: probably from Greek leimōn, translation of earlier German name, Wiesenerz meadow ore

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012