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Webster 1913 Edition
Peridotite
Per′i-do-tite
,Noun.
[Cf. F.
péridotite
.] (Min.)
An eruptive rock characterized by the presence of chrysolite (peridot). It also usually contains pyroxene, enstatite, chromite, etc. It is often altered to serpentine.
☞ The chief diamond deposits in South Africa occur in a more or less altered peridotite.
Definition 2025
peridotite
peridotite
English
Peridodite
Noun
peridotite (plural peridotites)
- (geology) A rock consisting of small crystals of olivine, pyroxene and hornblende; the major constituent of the Earth's mantle.
- 2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society 2011, p. 60:
- Varieties of peridotite are distinguished by their mineral composition; for example, dunite is a peridotite which is virtually all olivine, and a dense, dark green in colour.
- 2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society 2011, p. 60:
Translations
rock
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