arenitic
|a-ren-it-ic|
/ˌærəˈnɪtɪk/
sandy; composed of sand
Etymology
'arenitic' originates from Latin via Neo-Latin, specifically from the Neo-Latin word 'arenites' (from Latin 'arena'), where 'arena' meant 'sand'.
'arenitic' changed from Neo-Latin 'arenites' (meaning a sandy rock or sand) and was formed in English by adding the adjectival suffix '-ic' to create the adjective meaning 'of or relating to arenite or sand'.
Initially, it referred specifically to materials of or like 'arenite' (a sandy rock); over time it has been used more generally to mean 'sandy' or 'consisting of sand-sized grains'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
consisting of, resembling, or relating to sand; sandy.
The soil along the shoreline is arenitic and drains very quickly.
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Adjective 2
in geology: composed of or pertaining to arenite (a type of sandstone made of sand-sized grains).
The outcrop displayed an arenitic texture typical of shallow marine deposits.
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Last updated: 2026/01/16 15:00