stylolite: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Specialist
Quick answer
What does “stylolite” mean?
An irregular, interlocking, suture-like seam found in certain sedimentary rocks, formed by pressure dissolution.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An irregular, interlocking, suture-like seam found in certain sedimentary rocks, formed by pressure dissolution.
A geological structure resulting from the selective dissolution of minerals under pressure, often appearing as a dark, wavy or tooth-like seam that marks a surface of insoluble residue.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Purely technical with no regional connotations.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “stylolite” in a Sentence
The [rock type] contains prominent stylolites.Stylolites are formed by [process].[Mineral] accumulates along the stylolite.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stylolite” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The stylolitic fabric was clearly visible under the microscope.
American English
- Stylolitic surfaces indicate significant burial pressure.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used exclusively in geological research papers, textbooks, and specialised lectures.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary domain. Used by geologists, petrologists, and earth scientists to describe rock microstructures.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stylolite”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stylolite”
- Mispronouncing as 'style-oh-light'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'The rock stylolited').
- Confusing it with a fossil or a vein.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a fossil. It is a pressure-dissolution feature, though it can sometimes contain fossil fragments within the insoluble residue.
Yes, the 'teeth' or peaks of a stylolite typically point towards the source of greater compressive stress, which can help geologists understand past pressure orientations.
They are most frequently observed in carbonate rocks like limestone and dolomite, but can also occur in sandstones and other sedimentary lithologies.
A bedding plane is the original surface separating layers of sediment. A stylolite is a secondary, irregular dissolution surface that can cross-cut bedding planes and is formed by chemical compaction.
An irregular, interlocking, suture-like seam found in certain sedimentary rocks, formed by pressure dissolution.
Stylolite is usually technical/specialist in register.
Stylolite: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstaɪlə(ʊ)lʌɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstaɪləˌlaɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a stone column (a STYLO from Greek 'stylos') that has been LIT by a seam of dark material, creating a wavy, interlocking pattern.
Conceptual Metaphor
The rock's 'stitches' or 'sutures' (the stylolite seam) where material was dissolved under pressure.
Practice
Quiz
What is a stylolite primarily associated with?