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shale definition

shale (s̸hāl)

noun

a kind of fine-grained, thinly bedded sedimentary rock formed largely by the hardening of clay: it splits easily into thin layers

Etymology: < ME, lit., shell < OE scealu, shell

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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