lithophile

[ lith-uh-fahyl ]

adjective

1. (of a chemical element) concentrated in the earth's crust, rather than in the core or mantle.

noun

1. a lithophile element.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lithophile¹

First recorded in 1920–25; litho- + -phile

Example Sentences

This indicates that the depletion of halogens relative to primitive meteorites is consistent with lithophile elements of similar volatility.

From Nature

Our results demonstrate that the halogen depletion of bulk silicate Earth relative to primitive meteorites is consistent with the depletion of lithophile elements of similar volatility.

From Nature