sima

¹

[ sahy-muh ]

noun

, Geology.

1. an assemblage of rocks, rich in silica and magnesium, that constitutes the lower layer of the earth's crust and is found beneath the ocean floors and the sial of continents.

sima

²

[ sahy-muh ]

noun

, Architecture.

1. the uppermost member of a full classical order, usually a cyma recta, representing a roof gutter; cymatium.

sima

/ saɪˈmætɪk; ˈsaɪmə /

noun

1. the silicon-rich and magnesium-rich rocks of the earth's oceanic crust, the most abundant individual rock being basalt
2. the earth's continental lower crust, probably comprised of gabbro rather than basalt

Derived Forms

• simatic, adjective

Other Words From

• si·mat·ic [sahy-, mat, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sima¹

< German (1909), equivalent to Latin si ( licium ) silicium + ma ( gnesium ) magnesium

Origin of sima²

Variant of cyma

Word History and Origins

Origin of sima¹

C20: from si ( lica ) + ma ( gnesia )

Example Sentences

The staple food is "sima", a maize flour mixed with water.

From BBC

“Mar�a pur�sima,” he exclaimed, “you cannot mean, se�orita, that you, all alone, will deliver the City of Mexico into our hands?”

From Project Gutenberg

Maria Sant�sima; look at my poor brother all alone without the power to speak or rise!

From Project Gutenberg

I refer to the colored regiments, who occupied the right and left flanks of us at Gu�simas, the Ninth and Tenth cavalry regiments.

From Project Gutenberg

This sima is sometimes continued along the long sides of the building, and sometimes not.

From Project Gutenberg