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.

Nearby words

perle, perle cotton, perlea, perlemoen, perlis, perlite, perlitic, perlman, perlman, itzhak, perlocution, perlocutionary

Origin of perlite

From French, dating back to 1825–35; see origin at pearl¹, -ite¹

Related formsper·lit·ic

[pur-lit-ik] /pɜrˈlɪt ɪk/, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for perlite

But I don't think he heard that shot, and I warn't sorry for it; for it's not right to be a pokin' it into a perlite man, is it?
The Attache|Thomas Chandler Haliburton
I'll fetch ye yer breakfus', sah, in de mornin', fur all ye are so perlite.
The Storm Centre|Charles Egbert Craddock
Davis' pardner is Randolph—Gentleman Bill, we call him fur short, he's so nice and perlite.
The New Penelope and Other Stories and Poems|Frances Fuller Victor
And the sperrit o' the little feller, jest takin' his dorg 'n' lightin' out with nothin' but a perlite good-bye!
Timothy's Quest|Kate Douglas Wiggin

Much obleeged to him for being so perlite in showing me round.
Airship Andy|Frank V. Webster

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 Formsperlitic 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