Definition

Relating to or containing silica, a hard, glassy mineral found in sand and quartz.

Example

The siliceous rocks in the area are known for their durability and resistance to weathering.

Conversation

I just learned that some rocks are siliceous in nature.

Really? What does that mean exactly?

It means they contain a lot of silica, which makes them quite unique.

That’s interesting! I didn’t know rocks could be categorized like that.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Siliceous → It is formed from "silic-" (from Latin "silica", meaning flint or hard stone) and "-eous" (meaning possessing the nature of). The word "siliceous" refers to materials that have the characteristics of silica or flint.

Memory Tip

Think of 'silica' as a hard stone, and remember that 'siliceous' describes something that has the nature of this hard material.

Visually Confused Words