attapulgite
|at-ta-pul-gite|
/ˌætəˈpʌlɡaɪt/
clay mineral named from Attapulgus
Etymology
'attapulgite' originates from the place name 'Attapulgus' (a town in Georgia, USA) combined with the mineral-forming suffix '-ite'.
'attapulgite' was coined in English in the late 19th to early 20th century to denote the clay found at Attapulgus; the form results from attaching the suffix '‑ite' to the place name 'Attapulgus'.
Initially it referred specifically to the clay material from Attapulgus; over time the term has been used more broadly for similar magnesium‑aluminum silicate clays (commonly equated with 'palygorskite').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a fibrous clay mineral (a hydrated magnesium–aluminum silicate) used as an absorbent, suspending agent, and drilling-fluid additive; often identified with or similar to palygorskite.
The drilling mud contained attapulgite to stabilize the borehole.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/15 00:53