limonite

[lahy-muh-nahyt]

noun Mineralogy.

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

Origin of limonite

1815–25; < Greek leimṓn meadow + -ite¹

Related formsli·mo·nit·ic

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for limonite

Historical Examples of limonite

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
Magnetite or magnetic iron ore, specular iron, and limonite are also oxides of iron.
Geology
James Geikie
Near Lithgow extensive deposits of limonite, or clay-band ore, are interbedded with coal.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 8
Various
The green sand when weathered is brown or rusty coloured, the glauconite being oxidized to limonite.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 1
Various

British Dictionary definitions for limonite

limonite

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 Formslimonitic (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