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laterite definition

lat·er·ite (lat′ər īt′)

noun

Geol. a red, residual soil containing large amounts of aluminum and ferric hydroxides, formed by the decomposition of many kinds of rocks, and found esp. in well-drained tropical rain forests

Etymology: L later, brick, tile (prob. akin to latus, broad: see lateral) + -ite

Related Forms:

  • lateritic lat′·er·it′ic (-it′ik) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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