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foliated

foliated

8.9
Rock that has thin, flat layers like sheets
  • adjective
  • /ˈfoʊliˌeɪtɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : foliado
  • Many metamorphic rocks are foliated, displaying distinct parallel layers.

Examples

  • Slate, a foliated metamorphic rock, splits easily along its thin layers.

  • The geologist pointed out the foliated structure of the schist.

  • The foliated schist was beautiful in the sunlight.

  • I found a foliated rock during my hike.

  • Many metamorphic rocks are foliated, displaying distinct parallel layers.

  • Slate, a foliated metamorphic rock, splits easily along its thin layers.

  • The geologist identified the foliated texture in the rock sample he collected.

Synonyms

foliate
vsfoliated
  • Specialized
9.9

Having thin, flat layers like leaves, as in some rocks

expresses the same idea but in a different adjective form
foliaceous
vsfoliated
  • Specialized
9.9

Having thin, flat layers that look like leaves in some rocks

refers specifically to layered metamorphic rock rather than general leaflike look

How Layered

laminal
  • Specialized
9.9
foliated
  • Specialized
8.9
massive
  • Specialized
21 3.7

Surface Forms

foliated positive

Morphology

foliated = foliate (semi-transparent) = foli + ate + ed

Formed regularly from 'foliate' + -ed, but the root 'foli-' is a non‑productive combining form not obvious to many learners, so the relation is only partly transparent.

Etymology

Foliated comes from the Latin word folium meaning 'leaf' and is related to the everyday word foliage. Think of rock layers like thin leaves or pages stacked together, which is why foliated describes rock with thin, leaflike layers.