peridotite

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

/ ˈpɛr ɪˌdoʊ taɪt, pəˈrɪd əˌtaɪt /

noun

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

Nearby words

perididymitis, peridium, peridiverticulitis, peridot, peridot of ceylon, peridotite, periduodenitis, periencephalitis, perienteritis, periesophagitis, perifolliculitis

Origin of peridotite

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

Related forms

per·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

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
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
In Georgia the asbestos, which is anthophyllite, occurs in lenticular masses in peridotite associated with gneiss.
The Economic Aspect of Geology|C. K. Leith

Peridotite and gabbro form much of the eastern peninsula (Banggai).
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 5|Various

British Dictionary definitions for peridotite

peridotite

/ (ˌpɛrɪˈdəʊtaɪt) /

noun

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

Derived Forms

peridotitic (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.