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regolith

American  
[reg-uh-lith] / ˈrɛg ə lɪθ /

noun

  1. mantle rock.


regolith British  
/ ˈrɛɡəlɪθ /

noun

  1. the layer of loose material covering the bedrock of the earth and moon, etc, comprising soil, sand, rock fragments, volcanic ash, glacial drift, etc

"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

regolith Scientific  
/ rĕgə-lĭth′ /
  1. The layer of rock and mineral fragments that rests on bedrock and is produced by the weathering of rocks. Regolith constitutes the surface of most land.


Etymology

Origin of regolith

1895–1900; < Greek rhêgo ( s ) rug, blanket + -lith

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

From the Gaia data, the findings support the picture of asteroids as loosely held together rubble piles, with lots of holes and cavities blanketed in thick, dusty regolith.

From Science Daily

Designing the wheels is another challenge, as the Moon's surface is covered with a sticky layer of fragmented rock and dust called regolith.

From BBC

The floating, sticky dust, technically known as lunar regolith, also made it tough to see during landing or during surface activities; for example, the Apollo 11 astronauts in 1969 repeatedly tripped over an external TV cable obscured in powder.

From Salon

It might not be until 2028 or later that Sierra Space can test its system on the moon, using real regolith in low gravity conditions.

From BBC

Soon, that regolith was gloop.

From BBC