lithology

[ li-thol-uh-jee ]

/ lɪˈθɒl ə dʒi /

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noun

Geology.

(loosely) petrology.
the physical characteristics of a rock or stratigraphic unit.

Medicine/Medical. the study of the formation, pathology, and treatment of stones in the human body.

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Origin of lithology

First recorded in 1710–20; litho- + -logy

OTHER WORDS FROM lithology

lith·o·log·ic

[lith-uh-loj-ik], /ˌlɪθ əˈlɒdʒ ɪk/, lith·o·log·i·cal, adjectivelith·o·log·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby lithology

lithograph, lithographer, lithography, lithoid, lithol., lithology, lithomarge, lithometeor, lithophane, lithophile, lithophone

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

How to use lithology in a sentence

We might say that a 'young lady, eminent for great skill in lithology, famed as the discoverer,' etc.
Erema|R. D. Blackmore
His observations on the lithology of the deposits accumulated beneath the sea were of special interest and importance.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 10|Various
The second year's work with lithology is carried on largely in the same way as with mineralogy.
Appletons' Popular Science Monthly, September 1899|Various
It is nearly impossible to provide so abundantly, however, as for mineralogy and lithology.
Appletons' Popular Science Monthly, September 1899|Various

Stone, as in lithology, the branch of medical science, relating to calculi or concretions.
Surgery, with Special Reference to Podiatry|Maximilian Stern

British Dictionary definitions for lithology

lithology

/ (lɪˈθɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

the physical characteristics of a rock, including colour, composition, and texture

the study of rocks

Derived forms of lithology

lithologic (ˌlɪθəˈlɒdʒɪk) or lithological, adjectivelithologically, adverblithologist, noun

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

Scientific definitions for lithology

lithology

[ lĭ-thŏl′ə-jē ]

The scientific study and description of rocks, especially at the macroscopic level, in terms of their color, texture, and composition.

The gross physical character of a rock or rock formation.