O-O-LITE, OH-O-LYT
A sedimentary rock, especially limestone, made up of rounded grains.
adj: oolitic O-O-LIT-IK, OH-O-LYT-IC
These are limestones or ironstones made up offine rounded grains, their spherical shape being caused by the particles having been rolled about by waves andcurrents during deposition. the percipitation of the iron or calcareous material being variously ascribed to organic or inorganic agencies.
Oolites, such as the famous Portland stone used by Sir Christopher Wren for St Pauls Cathedral and many other London churches, furnish important building stones.
'Oolites' was formerly ued as a stratographical term for deposits of the Middle Jurassic period.
