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perlite

or pearl·ite

[ pur-lahyt ]
/ ˈpɜr laɪt /

noun Petrography.

a volcanic glass in which concentric fractures impart a distinctive structure resembling masses of small spheroids, used as a plant growth medium.

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Origin of perlite

From French, dating back to 1825–35; see origin at pearl, -ite1

OTHER WORDS FROM perlite

per·lit·ic [pur-lit-ik], /pɜrˈlɪt ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby perlite

perle, Perlea, perlèche, perlemoen, Perlis, perlite, Perlman, perlocution, perlocutionary, perlucidus, perm
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for perlite

British Dictionary definitions for perlite

perlite

pearlite

/ (ˈpɜːlaɪt) /

noun

a variety of obsidian consisting of masses of small pearly globules: used as a filler, insulator, and soil conditioner

Derived forms of perlite

perlitic or pearlitic (pɜːˈlɪtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for perlite

C19: from French, from perle pearl 1
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