septarian

American  

[sep-tair-ee-uhn] / sɛpˈtɛər i ən /

Rarely septariate

adjective

Geology.

1. being or relating to a septarium, a nodule or mass of limestone, ironstone, etc., with a network of cracks inside it filled with calcite and other minerals.

   The creation of these septarian concretions began about 60 million years ago when muddy sediment slowly accumulated on the seafloor.

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Etymology

Origin of septarian

First recorded in 1815–25; septari(um) ( def. ) + -an ( def. )

Example Sentences

A little above the oyster bed is a band of hard-bluish septarian limestone.

From The Geological Story of the Isle of Wight by Hughes, J. Cecil

This recalls the occurrence of fossils in septarian nodules, flints, phosphatic concretions, &c., in the older strata.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 7 "Columbus" to "Condottiere" by Various

Many shales contain great numbers of ovoid or rounded septarian nodules of clay ironstone.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 "Cincinnatus" to "Cleruchy" by Various

What are known as septarian nodules, or snake-stones, are, at certain places, common in the carboniferous strata.

From The Story of a Piece of Coal What It Is, Whence It Comes, and Whither It Goes by Martin, Edward A.