Meaning of diatomaceous earth in English:

diatomaceous earth

Pronunciation /ˌdʌɪətəˈmeɪʃəs/


mass noun
  • A soft, crumbly, porous sedimentary deposit formed from the fossil remains of diatoms.

    • ‘The richest sources of diatom fossils are deposits of their skeletons known as diatomite, or diatomaceous earth.’
    • ‘As the diatoms die, they sink to the ocean floor, becoming a thick ooze of decomposing matter, and eventually giving rise to deposits of the sediment called diatomaceous earth.’
    • ‘Also, vacuuming and using diatomaceous earth (the sandlike remains of ancient marine organisms) are natural ways of helping to control fleas in the environment.’
    • ‘Depth filtration, usually with a particularly porous form of silica called diatomaceous earth forming the layer through which the cloudy wine is passed, is commonly used for this early rough filtration.’