dolomite
UK /ˈdɒl.əˌmaɪt/ · US /ˈdoʊ.ləˌmaɪt/ noun, adjective
Forms dolomites
- noun (mineralogy) An evaporite consisting of a mixed calcium and magnesium carbonate, with the chemical formula CaMg(CO₃)₂; it also exists as the rock dolostone.
- adjective Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the Dolomites
Synonyms
Etymology
From French dolomite, coined March 1792 by Nicolas de Saussure, named after French mineralogist and engineer Déodat de Dolomieu (1750–1801) who described the stone in 1791 by adding -ite, from place name Dolomieu, Isère.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A mineral consisting of the carbonate of lime and magnesia in varying proportions. It occurs in distinct crystals, and in extensive beds as a compact limestone, often crystalline granular, either white or clouded. It includes much of the common white marble. Also called bitter spar.
Etymology [After the French geologist Dolomieu.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “dolomite”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details