Word
dolomite
US/ˈdoʊɫəˌmaɪt/
UK/dˈɒləmˌaɪt/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a pale mineral made of calcium and magnesium that forms grey or white rock. You see it in mountains and in stone used for building and cement.
n. a rhombohedral calcium magnesium carbonate mineral that forms the sedimentary rock also called dolostone. Distinguished from limestone by magnesium content and much slower reaction to dilute acid.
Examples
“This white cliff contains a lot of dolomite.”
“The builders chose dolomite for the garden wall because it resists weather well.”
“The pale peaks glow at sunset because dolomite reflects light differently than limestone, giving the mountains a soft pink colour.”
Examples
simple
“This white cliff contains a lot of dolomite.”
contextual
“The builders chose dolomite for the garden wall because it resists weather well.”
complex
“The pale peaks glow at sunset because dolomite reflects light differently than limestone, giving the mountains a soft pink colour.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “dolomite” in context.
Verb
01. calcine dolomite
“The plant calcines dolomite at high temperature to produce magnesia.”
verb + noun
02. contain dolomite
“These limestone strata contain dolomite interbedded with chert nodules.”
verb + noun
03. dolomite forms
“Dolomite forms when magnesium-rich groundwater alters limestone.”
noun + verb
04. dolomite predominates
“Above 2000 metres, pale dolomite predominates throughout the range.”
noun + verb
05. dolomite weathers
“Dolomite weathers more slowly than limestone, creating rugged pinnacles.”
noun + verb
Adjective
06. crystalline dolomite
“Thin sections revealed sparkling crystalline dolomite under polarized light.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. bed of dolomite
“A thick bed of dolomite caps the sandstone sequence.”
noun + prep + noun
08. deposit of dolomite
“Geologists mapped a vast deposit of dolomite in the basin.”
noun + prep + noun
09. layer of dolomite
“Each layer of dolomite records a shallowing marine cycle.”
noun + prep + noun
10. a thick bed of dolomite
“A thick bed of dolomite overlies the fossiliferous limestone below.”
11. calcined dolomite for steelmaking
“The factory supplies calcined dolomite for steelmaking and glass manufacture.”
12. composed largely of dolomite
“The summit ridge is composed largely of dolomite.”
Etymology
From French dolomite, coined March 1792 by Nicolas de Saussure, named after French mineralogist and engineer Déodat de Dolomieu (1750–1801) who described the stone in 1791 by adding -ite, from place name Dolomieu, Isère.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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