argilloferruginous
|ar-gil-lo-ferru-gi-nous|
🇺🇸
/ˌɑrdʒɪloʊfɛˈrʌdʒɪnəs/
🇬🇧
/ˌɑːdʒɪləʊfɛˈrʌdʒɪnəs/
clay + iron-rich
Etymology
'argilloferruginous' originates from New Latin/Modern Latin, specifically combining 'argilla' (Latin) and 'ferruginosus' (Latin), where 'argilla' meant 'clay' and 'ferruginosus' meant 'rusty' or 'containing iron'.
'argilloferruginous' changed from the New Latin compound 'argillo-ferruginosus' (used in technical geological/chemical Latin) and was adopted into English as the technical adjective 'argilloferruginous' to describe clay-and-iron-bearing materials.
Initially it meant 'containing clay and iron (rust)'; over time it has remained a specialised geological term describing rocks or sediments rich in clay and iron.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
containing or composed of both clay (argillaceous) and iron (ferruginous); clay- and iron-rich, used especially of rocks or sediments.
The outcrop was argilloferruginous, suggesting deposition in a clay-rich environment followed by iron oxidation.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/12 09:06