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perlite

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(pʉr′līt′)

noun

Geol. a greenish volcanic glass, similar to obsidian, with a pearly luster and multiple, minute concentric cracks, used as insulation and in making concrete, plaster, etc.
pearlite

Origin: Fr < perle, pearl

Related Forms:

perlitic adjective

See perlite in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also pearl·ite

noun

A natural volcanic glass similar to obsidian but having distinctive concentric cracks and a relatively high water content. In a fluffy heat-expanded form perlite is used as a lightweight aggregate, in fire-resistant insulation, and in soil for potted plants.

Origin:

Origin: French (from perle, pearl, from Old French; see pearl¹)

Origin: or German Perlite (from Perle, pearl, ultimately from Vulgar Latin *pernula)

Related Forms: