septarian

[ sep-tair-ee-uhn ]

adjective

, Geology.

1. being or relating to a septarium, a nodule or mass of limestone, ironstone, etc., with a network of cracks inside it filled with calcite and other minerals:

   The creation of these septarian concretions began about 60 million years ago when muddy sediment slowly accumulated on the seafloor.

Word History and Origins

Origin of septarian¹

First recorded in 1815–25; septari(um) ( def ) + -an ( def )