siliceous

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

Also spelled silicious

US /səˈlɪʃəs/ UK /sɪˈlɪʃəs/ See IPA manual

Freq #315940

Meanings

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

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.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · of, relating to,... silicioussilicaceous

2 adj · biology: composed largely... silica-basedsilicified

More silica-bearing

Opposites

calcareous

Word family

Derived forms biosiliceousnonsiliceoussiliceousness

Related forms silicasilicate siliconspicule

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

siliceous sandstone
sandstone containing a large proportion of silica

Adjective + noun

Etymology

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.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# siliceous

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /səˈlɪʃəs/
**IPA (UK):** /sɪˈlɪʃəs/
**Frequency rank:** 315940

## Meanings
1. of, relating to, containing, or resembling silica or a silicate
2. biology: composed largely of silica, especially of a skeleton, shell, or other structure produced by an organism

## Examples
- The geologist identified the pale layer as siliceous limestone rich in silica.
- Many glass sponges have delicate siliceous skeletons made of interlocking spicules.

## Synonyms
- silicious
- silicaceous
- silica-bearing

## Antonyms
- calcareous

## Derived Forms
- biosiliceous
- nonsiliceous
- siliceousness

## Related Forms
- silica
- silicate
- silicon
- spicule

## Etymology
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.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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