Peridotite

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈpɛɹɪdÉ™taɪt/
• US IPA: /p‌əˈɹɪd.‌əˌtaɪt/

Origin

From peridot + -ite.

Full definition of peridotite

Noun

1. (geology, mineralogy) A rock consisting of small crystals of olivine, pyroxene and hornblende; the major constituent of the Earth's mantle.
• 2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society 2011, p. 60:Varieties of peridotite are distinguished by their mineral composition; for example, dunite is a peridotite which is virtually all olivine, and a dense, dark green in colour.