arenaceous

[ ar-uh-ney-shuhs ]

adjective

1. Geology, Petrology. (of rocks) sandlike; sandy.
2. Botany. growing in sand.

arenaceous

/ ˌærɪˈneɪʃəs /

adjective

1. (of sedimentary rocks and deposits) composed of sand or sandstone Compare argillaceous rudaceous
2. (of plants) growing best in a sandy soil

arenaceous

/ ăr′ə-nā′shəs /

1. Resembling, derived from, or containing sand.
2. Growing in sandy areas.

Word History and Origins

Origin of arenaceous¹

1640–50; < Latin ( h ) arēnaceus. See arena, -aceous

Word History and Origins

Origin of arenaceous¹

C17: from Latin harēnāceus sandy, from harēna sand

Example Sentences

The greatest proportionate deficiency, however, is observable in the arenaceous region between the Danube and Theiss, where for the most part only periodical floods occur.

From Project Gutenberg

These fossils occur in grey earthy limestone, near its junction with the red arenaceous limestone already described.

From Project Gutenberg

The common sand-carex and other arenaceous plants bind the loose sand-dunes of our coasts, and give them a permanence, which would at once be destroyed were the sand laid bare again to storms.

From Project Gutenberg

By experiment, I found a portion of the lower arenaceous part almost completely soluble, in the cold, in nitro-sulphuric acid; and the actual residuum was, in part, owing to a defect in trituration.

From Project Gutenberg

Xenophyophoridae are a small group of bottom-dwelling Sarcodina which show a certain resemblance to arenaceous Foraminifera, though observations in the living state show that the character of the pseudopodia is lacking.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• chalky
• crumbly
• dusty
• grainy
• gravelly