siliceous

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   of, relating to, containing, or resembling silica or a silicate

   The geologist identified the pale layer as siliceous limestone rich in silica.

2. 2
   adj

   biology: composed largely of silica, especially of a skeleton, shell, or other structure produced by an organism

   Many glass sponges have delicate siliceous skeletons made of interlocking spicules.

From Latin silex, genitive silicis, 'flint or hard stone,' through silica + -eous. Scientific English uses the adjective for rocks and materials containing silica or silicates and for biological structures, such as sponge skeletons, formed from biogenic silica.

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