SILICIFEROUS Meaning and
Definition
-
Siliciferous is an adjective that describes something as containing or producing silica, which is a hard, non-metallic mineral commonly found in the Earth's crust. Derived from the Latin words "silica" meaning "silica" and "ferous" meaning "to bear or produce," it refers to the ability of a substance to generate or contain silica.
Silica is made up of silicon and oxygen, and it exists in various forms such as quartz, sand, and glass. It is widely used in industrial applications due to its hardness, electrical properties, and resistance to high temperatures. Materials that are siliciferous are composed of or contain a significant amount of silica.
In geology, the term siliciferous is often used to describe rock formations that are rich in silicates. These formations may include sedimentary rocks like sandstone or shale, which are primarily composed of siliciferous materials such as sand or clay minerals. Siliciferous rocks are essential in various industries, including construction, as they can provide strong and durable building materials.
The term can also be applied to describe organisms or biological processes that involve the production or utilization of silica. For example, certain types of algae or diatoms are siliciferous, as they produce intricate outer shells or structures made from silica.
In summary, siliciferous refers to something containing or producing silica. It can describe geological formations, building materials, or organisms that utilize or generate silica as a component.
-
Producing silex or flint.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for SILICIFEROUS
- ailiciferous
- ziliciferous
- xiliciferous
- diliciferous
- eiliciferous
- wiliciferous
- suliciferous
- sjliciferous
- skliciferous
- soliciferous
- s9liciferous
- s8liciferous
- sikiciferous
- sipiciferous
- sioiciferous
- siluciferous
- siljciferous
- silkciferous
- silociferous
- sil9ciferous
Etymology of SILICIFEROUS
The word siliciferous is composed of two Latin roots: silex meaning flint or hard siliceous stone, and fero meaning to bear or to carry. Thus, the word siliciferous can be traced back to Latin, where it literally means bearing or carrying siliceous material.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
