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Glite Dictionary
marlstone

marlstone

1 9.9
A hard rock made of clay mixed with chalk
  • noun
  • /ˈmɑrlˌstoʊn/
  • Specialized
: marlita
  • Geologists took samples of the marlstone to analyze its mineral content.

Examples

  • Layers of marlstone in the valley reveal evidence of ancient lakes.

  • The cliffs along the coast are made of marlstone, giving them a distinctive pale color.

  • The geologist studied a sample of marlstone from the quarry.

  • Many marlstones were found in the sediment layers.

  • Geologists took samples of the marlstone to analyze its mineral content.

  • Layers of marlstone in the valley reveal evidence of ancient lakes.

  • The cliffs along the coast are made of marlstone, giving them a distinctive pale color.

Synonyms

sedimentary rock
vsmarlstone
  • Specialized
3 3.5

Rock made from layers of sand, mud, or broken shells

is a narrower kind made of clay and calcium carbonate and harder

Surface Forms

marlstone singular
marlstones plural

Morphology

marlstone = marl + stone (transparent) = marl + stone

A straightforward compound 'marl' + 'stone' meaning a stone composed of marl; the meaning is directly deducible from the components, though 'marl' is a technical term.

Etymology

The word marlstone comes from marl, an old word for 'chalky earth', and stone, so it literally means a 'stone made of marl'. So, marlstone is the harder, rock form of marl, which explains its mix of clay and calcium carbonate.