argillomagnesian
|ar-gil-lo-mag-ne-si-an|
🇺🇸
/ˌɑrdʒɪloʊˌmæɡˈniːziən/
🇬🇧
/ˌɑːdʒɪləʊˌmæɡˈniːziən/
clay + magnesium-rich
Etymology
'argillomagnesian' originates from Neo-Latin, specifically the combining elements 'argillo-' (from Latin 'argilla') and 'magnesian' (from Latin/Greek 'Magnesia'), where 'argilla' meant 'clay' and 'Magnesia' referred to a district associated with minerals yielding magnesium.
'argillomagnesian' was formed in geological/technical English by joining 'argillo-' (from Latin 'argilla' -> English 'argillaceous') and 'magnesian' (from Latin/Greek 'Magnesia' -> English 'magnesian'), producing a compound adjective used in 19th–20th century geological literature.
Initially the roots referred separately to 'clay' and to things from 'Magnesia' (source of magnesium); over time the compound came to mean specifically 'containing both clay and magnesium-bearing minerals' in geological contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
consisting of, containing, or relating to clay (argillaceous) and magnesium-bearing minerals; used especially of rocks or sediments with both clay and magnesian components.
The argillomagnesian horizon in the outcrop suggests alteration by magnesium-rich fluids.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/12 09:34