lithic
1 Americanadjective
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pertaining to or consisting of stone.
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Petrology. pertaining to clastic rocks, either sedimentary or volcanic, containing a large proportion of debris from previously formed rocks.
a lithic sandstone; lithic tuff.
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Pathology. pertaining to stony concretions, or calculi, formed within the body, especially in the bladder.
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Chemistry. of, relating to, or containing lithium.
noun
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a combining form used in the names of cultural phases in archaeology characterized by the use of stone tools: Chalcolithic; Neolithic.
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a combining form meaning “of or relating to stone,” used to form adjectives: megalithic; monolithic.
adjective
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of, relating to, or composed of stone
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containing abundant fragments of previously formed rock
a lithic sandstone
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pathol of or relating to a calculus or calculi, esp one in the urinary bladder
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of or containing lithium
combining form
Usage
What does -lithic mean? The combining form -lithic is used like a suffix used to name cultural phases in archaeology characterized by the use of a particular type of tool. Essentially, it is used in the names of eras of human history. It is most often used in archaeological and anthropological terms.The form -lithic comes from Greek lithikós, meaning “of stone.”Corresponding forms of -lithic combined to the beginning of words are litho- and -lith. Learn more at our Words That Use articles for these forms.
Other Word Forms
- lithically adverb
- prelithic adjective
Etymology
Origin of lithic1
First recorded in 1790–1800, lithic is from the Greek word lithikós of stone. See lith-, -ic
Origin of -lithic2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Affolter, M. D. On the nature of volcanic lithic fragments: Definition source and evolution.
From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017
The other burns lithic landscapes, which is to say, biomass buried and turned to stone in the geologic past.
From Slate • May 16, 2016
His research interests include archaeological methods, lithic analysis, and the origins of modern culture.
From Science Magazine • Oct. 24, 2012
All of her ash was lithic, old stony stuff created from her own edifice.
From Scientific American • Jul. 7, 2012
Thus, in the present instance, the muriatic acid may be supposed to separate the lactic, while the latter precipitates the lithic, &c.
From North American Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol. 2, No. 3, July, 1826 by Bache, Franklin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
