lithophile

American

[lith-uh-fahyl] / ˈlɪθ əˌfaɪl /

adjective

(of a chemical element) concentrated in the earth's crust, rather than in the core or mantle.

noun

a lithophile element.

Etymology

Origin of lithophile

First recorded in 1920–25; litho- + -phile

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Our results demonstrate that the halogen depletion of bulk silicate Earth relative to primitive meteorites is consistent with the depletion of lithophile elements of similar volatility.

From Nature • Nov. 28, 2017

This indicates that the depletion of halogens relative to primitive meteorites is consistent with lithophile elements of similar volatility.

From Nature • Nov. 28, 2017

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023