dolomite

[ doh-luh-mahyt, dol-uh- ]

noun

1. a very common mineral, calcium magnesium carbonate, CaMg(CO 3 ) 2 , occurring in crystals and in masses.
2. a rock consisting essentially or largely of this mineral.

dolomite

/ ˈdɒləˌmaɪt; ˌdɒləˈmɪtɪk /

noun

1. a white mineral often tinted by impurities, found in sedimentary rocks and veins. It is used in the manufacture of cement and as a building stone (marble). Composition: calcium magnesium carbonate. Formula: CaMg(CO 3 ) 2 . Crystal structure: hexagonal (rhombohedral)
2. a sedimentary rock resembling limestone but consisting principally of the mineral dolomite. It is an important source of magnesium and its compounds, and is used as a building material and refractory

dolomite

/ dō′lə-mīt′,dŏl′ə-mīt′ /

1. A gray, pink, or white rhombohedral mineral. Dolomite occurs in curved saddlelike crystals with a pearly to glassy luster. It is a common rock-forming mineral. Chemical formula: CaMg(CO 3 ) 2 .
2. A sedimentary rock containing more than 50 percent of the mineral dolomite by weight.

Derived Forms

• dolomitic, adjective

Other Words From

• dol·o·mit·ic [dol-, uh, -, mit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dolomite¹

1785–95; < French, named after D. de Dolom ( ieu ) (1750–1801), French mineralogist; -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of dolomite¹

C18: named after Déodat de Dolomieu (1750–1801), French mineralogist

Example Sentences

The tiles, which are produced by Decoratori Bassanesi, come in four patterns and four colors: Rice, Almond, Dolomite and Pepper, at $18 per square foot.

From Seattle Times

But in Last Chance Lake, calcium combines with plentiful carbonate as well as magnesium to form dolomite, the same mineral that forms picturesque mountain ranges.

From Science Daily

This reaction was predicted by the previous modeling work and confirmed when dolomite was plentiful in Last Chance Lake's sediments.

From Science Daily

When calcium turns into dolomite and does not remain in the water, the phosphate lacks a bonding partner -- and so its concentration rises.

From Science Daily

An international research team led by the University of Göttingen have now uncovered clues about the past: they analysed dolomite rocks in a drill core and found an extremely high proportion of the carbon isotope C-13.

From Science Daily