saliferous

9.9

Containing salt in rocks or soil, often in large amounts

adjective
/ˌsælɪˈfɛrəs/

Specialized

: salífero

The soil is highly saliferous, making it unsuitable for most crops.

Examples

Extensive saliferous deposits have been discovered in the region.
The saliferous rock formations are crucial for the local salt industry.
A saliferous layer was found beneath the surface during geological surveys.
This soil is saliferous.
The geological survey revealed a saliferous layer rich in salt deposits.
Researchers found that the saliferous soil in the area could be mined for its salt.
Farmers in this region struggle because the saliferous ground limits crop production.

Synonyms

salty

vssaliferous

61 1.0

Tasting of salt, like sea water or chips

applies to geological materials that contain or yield salt commercially

saline

vssaliferous

4 4.6

That contains salt, like sea water

refers specifically to rocks or soils producing salt in exploitable amounts

Antonyms

saltless

3.4

A food made without any salt

How Salty

saliferous

Specialized

9.9

saline

Specialized

137 3.3

brackish

4 7.2

fresh

83 1.0

Surface Forms

saliferous positive

Morphology

saliferous = sal + iferous

The word is historically compositional, but its components are classical combining forms rather than transparent everyday English morphemes, so an average B1 learner would not readily infer the meaning from them.

Etymology

Saliferous comes from the old Latin parts sal- meaning 'salt' and -ferous meaning 'bearing' or 'carrying', the same 'fer' you see in transfer ('to carry'). So saliferous simply means 'salt-bearing', used for rock or soil that contains salt.