saliferous

[suh-lif-er-uhs]

adjective

1. containing or producing salt.

   saliferous strata.

saliferous

/ sæˈlɪfərəs /

adjective

1. (esp of rock strata) containing or producing salt

Word History and Origins

Origin of saliferous¹

First recorded in 1820–30; sal + -i- + -ferous

Word History and Origins

Origin of saliferous¹

C19: from Latin sal _salt + ferre to bear

Example Sentences

He was the owner of extensive salt mines on the further side of the mountain, which contains an illimitable deposit of the saliferous substance.

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I find since that Dr Wilson states these rocks to be highly saliferous, and says the Arabs scrape them with knives to obtain saltpetre for making their rude gunpowder. 

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It overlies a bed of saliferous sandstone which has been worked for salt.

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The saliferous beds of New York State belong largely to the Salina period of the Upper Silurian.

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Nevertheless, we must not forget that there are dense masses of red and variegated sandstones and clays, thousands of feet in thickness, and of vast horizontal extent, wholly devoid of saliferous or gypseous matter.

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Related Words

• alkaline 
• briny 
• pungent 
• saline 
• salted 
• sour