peridotite

2 definitions found

peridotite - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Peridotite \Per"i*do*tite\, n. [Cf. F. p['e]ridotite.] (Min.)
     An eruptive rock characterized by the presence of chrysolite
     (peridot). It also usually contains pyroxene, enstatite,
     chromite, etc. It is often altered to serpentine.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The chief diamond deposits in South Africa occur in a
           more or less altered peridotite.
           [1913 Webster]

peridotite - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  peridotite
      n 1: a dark coarse-grained igneous rock consisting principally
           of olivine