ferruginous

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   containing iron or an iron compound

   The spring left ferruginous deposits on the surrounding rocks.

2. 2
   adj

   resembling iron rust in its reddish-brown color

   A ferruginous coating gave the stones a burnished brown surface.

Borrowed from Latin ferrugineus, 'rust-colored,' from ferrugo, 'iron rust,' itself based on ferrum, 'iron.' Scientific use covers both materials containing iron and the rusty color iron compounds often produce.

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