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perlite

or pearl·ite

[ pur-lahyt ]

noun

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


perlite

/ pɜːˈlɪtɪk; ˈpɜːlaɪt /

noun

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


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Derived Forms

  • perlitic, adjective
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Other Words From

  • per·lit·ic [pur-, lit, -ik], adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of perlite1

From French, dating back to 1825–35; pearl, -ite 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of perlite1

C19: from French, from perle pearl 1
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Example Sentences

Volcanic rock like perlite and pumice keep the soil from packing together.

"He ain't jest what you'd call perlite," thought Mr. Klegg, as he meditatively chewed for a little while longer.

Yit I'll not deny that it's easy to be perlite to old Uncle Prince, bekaze he's mighty perlite hisself.

Much obleeged to him for being so perlite in showing me round.

And he had been "so perlite as to ask me how was Grandmother Gano."

But this un isn't thet koind of a man, an' he's so moighty perlite about it Oi jist cud n't sind the loikes of him away.

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