Lithosphere
[lith-uh-sfeer] /ˈlɪθ əˌsfɪər/
noun, Geology.
1.
the solid portion of the earth (distinguished from , ).
2.
the crust and upper mantle of the earth.
/ˈlɪθəˌsfɪə/
noun
1.
the rigid outer layer of the earth, having an average thickness of about 75 km and comprising the earth’s crust and the solid part of the mantle above the asthenosphere
n.
“solid part of the earth’s surface,” 1881; see litho- “stone” + sphere.
lithosphere
(lĭth’ə-sfîr’)
The outer part of the Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle. It is about 55 km (34 mi) thick beneath the oceans and up to about 200 km (124 mi) thick beneath the continents. The high velocity with which seismic waves propagate through the lithosphere suggests that it is completely solid. Compare asthenosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere.
lithosphere [(lith-uh-sfeer)]
The outer layer of the Earth, comprising the crust and the upper part of the mantle. The lithosphere is about sixty miles thick.
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[lith-uh-sawl, -sol] /ˈlɪθ əˌsɔl, -ˌsɒl/ noun 1. a group of shallow soils lacking well-defined horizons, especially an entisol consisting of partially weathered rock fragments, usually on steep slopes. /ˈlɪθəˌsɒl/ noun 1. (mainly US) a type of azonal soil consisting chiefly of unweathered or partly weathered rock fragments, usually found on steep slopes
- Lithostatic
/ˌlɪθəʊˈstætɪk/ adjective 1. another name for geostatic
- Lithostratigraphy
[lith-oh-struh-tig-ruh-fee] /ˌlɪθ oʊ strəˈtɪg rə fi/ noun 1. the study or character of stratified rocks based solely on their physical and petrographic features. lithostratigraphy (lĭth’ō-strə-tĭg’rə-fē) The scientific study and categorization of rock strata based on their lithology (color, texture, and composition). Compare biostratigraphy.
- Lithotomy
[li-thot-uh-mee] /lɪˈθɒt ə mi/ noun, plural lithotomies. 1. surgery to remove one or more stones from an organ or duct. /lɪˈθɒtəmɪ/ noun (pl) -mies 1. the surgical removal of a calculus, esp one in the urinary bladder n. 1721, from Late Latin lithotomia, from Greek lithotomia, from lithos “stone” (see litho-) + -tomia “cutting” (see […]
- Lithotripsy
[lith-uh-trip-see] /ˈlɪθ əˌtrɪp si/ noun, plural lithotripsies. 1. the pulverization and removal of urinary calculi using a lithotripter. /ˈlɪθəʊˌtrɪpsɪ/ noun 1. the use of ultrasound, often generated by a lithotripter, to pulverize kidney stones and gallstones in situ n. 1834, from litho- + -tripsy, from Greek tripsis “rubbing,” from tribein “to rub, thresh, pound, wear […]