IPA: /ˈoʊəˌlaɪt/
KK: /ˈoʊəˌlaɪt/
A small, round grain made of calcium carbonate, often found in limestone and used to form certain types of rock.
The geologist examined the oolite to understand its formation process.
Oolite is derived from the Greek word "ōon" (meaning egg) and the suffix "-lite" (meaning stone). The term refers to a sedimentary rock composed of small spherical grains that resemble eggs.
Imagine small 'eggs' ('ōon') forming a type of 'stone' ('-lite') — that's why oolite refers to this egg-like rock.