lithology

American  

[li-thol-uh-jee] / lɪˈθɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. Geology.

   1. (loosely) petrology.

   2. the physical characteristics of a rock or stratigraphic unit.

2. Medicine/Medical. the study of the formation, pathology, and treatment of stones in the human body.

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lithology British  

/ lɪˈθɒlədʒɪ, ˌlɪθəˈlɒdʒɪk /

noun

1. the physical characteristics of a rock, including colour, composition, and texture

2. the study of rocks

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lithology Scientific  

/ lĭ-thŏl′ə-jē /

1. The scientific study and description of rocks, especially at the macroscopic level, in terms of their color, texture, and composition.

2. The gross physical character of a rock or rock formation.

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Other Word Forms

• lithologic adjective
• lithological adjective
• lithologically adverb
• lithologist noun

Etymology

Origin of lithology

First recorded in 1710–20; litho- + -logy

Example Sentences

The contrast in lithology between formations required to justify their establishment varies with the complexity of the geology of a region and the detail needed for geologic mapping and to work out its geologic history.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Furthermore, the lithology, mineralogy, and geochemistry of the San Gregorio and Tacuarí formations are quite dissimilar.

From Science Magazine • Feb. 21, 2013

We might say that a 'young lady, eminent for great skill in lithology, famed as the discoverer,' etc.

From Erema — My Father's Sin by Blackmore, R. D. (Richard Doddridge)

Its lithology is represented in our collection by porous, gray, granular trachyte, fine-grained, compact trachyte, and dark porphyroid trachyte.

From The Andes and the Amazon Across the Continent of South America by Orton, James

His observations on the lithology of the deposits accumulated beneath the sea were of special interest and importance.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 10 "David, St" to "Demidov" by Various