argillaceous

[ ahr-juh-ley-shuhs ]

adjective

1. Geology, Petrology. of the nature of or resembling clay; clayey.
2. containing a considerable amount of clayey matter.

argillaceous

/ ˌɑːdʒɪˈleɪʃəs /

adjective

1. (of sedimentary rocks and deposits) composed of very fine-grained material, such as clay, shale, etc Compare arenaceous rudaceous

Word History and Origins

Origin of argillaceous¹

First recorded in 1725–35, argillaceous is from the Latin word argillāceus clayish. See argil, -aceous

Example Sentences

Geologist Paula Messina showed that the ground is covered by argillaceous sediments and bacterial mats, forming under wet conditions a very slippery surface.

From Scientific American

The more argillaceous and the less siliceous the soil the more readily can balls of earth be retained about the roots.

From Project Gutenberg

Some were partially painted with a white argillaceous earth; others were blackened with charcoal; one of the men was daubed all over with a white pigment.

From Project Gutenberg

Laterite, lat′ėr-īt, n. an argillaceous sandstone of a reddish or brick colour found in India, esp. in Ceylon.

From Project Gutenberg

The cementing material may be siliceous or argillaceous, and is sometimes calcareous.

From Project Gutenberg