peridotite

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

noun

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

peridotite

/ ˌpɛrɪdəʊˈtɪtɪk; ˌpɛrɪˈdəʊtaɪt /

noun

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

peridotite

/ pĕr′ĭ-dō-tīt′,pə-rĭd′ə- /

1. 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.

Derived Forms

• peridotitic, adjective

Other Words From

• per·i·do·tit·ic [per-i-doh-, tit, -ik, p, uh, -rid-, uh, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of peridotite¹

From French, dating back to 1895–1900; peridot, -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of peridotite¹

C19: from French, from peridot

Example Sentences

Peridotite and gabbro form much of the eastern peninsula (Banggai).

From Project Gutenberg

Into these sediments there are intruded certain peridotite dikes.

From Project Gutenberg

Chromite is a common minor constituent of basic igneous rocks of the peridotite and pyroxenite type.

From Project Gutenberg

In this locality the original rock is a peridotite, relatively low in nickel, which has been altered to serpentine.

From Project Gutenberg

In Georgia the asbestos, which is anthophyllite, occurs in lenticular masses in peridotite associated with gneiss.

From Project Gutenberg