trav·er·tine (tr v  r-t n , -t n)n. 1. A light-colored porous calcite, CaCO3, deposited from solution in ground or surface waters and forming, among other deposits, stalactites and stalagmites. 2. A compact calcium carbonate used as a facing material in construction. [French, from Italian travertino, alteration of tivertino, from Latin (lapis) t  burtnus, (stone) of Tibur (Tivoli), an ancient city of central Italy.] |
travertine, travertin [ˈtrævətɪn]
n
(Earth Sciences / Minerals) a porous rock consisting of calcium carbonate, used for building Also called calc-sinter
[from Italian travertino (influenced by tra- trans-), from Latin lapis Tīburtīnus Tiburtine stone, from Tīburs the district around Tibur (now Tivoli)]
| travertine (trvr-tn, -tn) A white, tan, or cream-colored form of limestone, often having a fibrous or concentric appearance. Travertine is formed through the rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate, especially at the mouth of a hot spring or in limestone caves, where it forms stalactites and stalagmites. It is similar to, but harder than, tufa. |
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