rhizoverbBeta
DictionarydolomiteCarbonate mineral
noun

dolomite

DOH-luh-myte/dˈoʊlʌmˌaɪt/

A mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate.

Pale pink and cream dolomite crystals rise from the rough rock matrix.

A single dolomite mineral specimen with pale pink-to-cream rhombohedral crystals on a rough rock matrix.
Etymology
dolomFrenchgeologist's surname
+iteEnglishmineral or rock

Dolomite commemorates the geologist Dolomieu, who described the rock in his study of the Alps. Its name points to that description rather than encoding its calcium-and-magnesium composition.

In context

Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow24:24
dolomite is a magnesium calcium carbonate whereas limestone is a calcium carbonate
A guided excursion round the geology of Islay

More examples

  • Dolomite contains both calcium and magnesium.
  • Tiny dolomite crystals line a crack in the limestone.
  • She compares a sample of dolomite with a piece of calcite.

Forms

dolomite

dolomitic adjective — Containing or composed of the mineral dolomite.