peridotite

[per-i-doh-tahyt, puh-rid-uh-tahyt]

noun

a coarsely granular igneous rock composed chiefly of olivine with an admixture of various other minerals.

Origin of peridotite

From French, dating back to 1895–1900; see origin at peridot, -ite¹

Related formsper·i·do·tit·ic

[per-i-doh-tit-ik, puh-rid-uh-] /ˌpɛr ɪ doʊˈtɪt ɪk, pəˌrɪd ə-/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for peridotite

Historical Examples of peridotite

Chromite is a common minor constituent of basic igneous rocks of the peridotite and pyroxenite type.
The Economic Aspect of Geology
C. K. Leith
In this locality the original rock is a peridotite, relatively low in nickel, which has been altered to serpentine.
The Economic Aspect of Geology
C. K. Leith
In Georgia the asbestos, which is anthophyllite, occurs in lenticular masses in peridotite associated with gneiss.
The Economic Aspect of Geology
C. K. Leith
Small diamonds have been found in peridotite masses in Pike County, Arkansas, but these are of very little commercial value.
The Economic Aspect of Geology
C. K. Leith
Most of these occur along with troctolites, norites, serpentine and peridotite.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 4
Various

British Dictionary definitions for peridotite

peridotite

noun

a dark coarse-grained ultrabasic plutonic igneous rock consisting principally of olivine

Derived Formsperidotitic (ˌpɛrɪdəʊˈtɪtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for peridotite

C19: from French, from peridot

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

Science definitions for peridotite

peridotite

[pĕr′ĭ-dō-tīt′, pə-rĭd′ə-]

A coarse-grained igneous rock that consists mainly of olivine and pyroxene. It is believed to be one of the main constituent rocks of the Earth's mantle.