LATERIZE Meaning and
Definition
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Laterize is a verb used to describe the process of weathering rocks, specifically those rich in aluminum, iron, and silica, through the leaching and accumulation of soluble materials such as hydrated iron and aluminum oxides. This distinctive form of weathering primarily occurs in tropical regions with a high amount of rainfall and warm temperatures.
During laterization, the original minerals in rocks, such as feldspars and micas, are broken down by chemical reactions with rainwater. These minerals release their constituents, including aluminum and iron, and these elements are subsequently transported by water, ultimately leading to their accumulation in the soil. This process is known as leaching.
The resulting laterite soil has distinct characteristics. It is typically reddish in color due to the iron oxides present. It is also highly porous, thus allowing rapid drainage, but it tends to retain moisture for longer periods. Laterized soils are generally acidic due to the leaching of basic cations.
Laterization has significant implications for agriculture, as the soil's chemical composition affects its fertility and suitability for cultivating different crops. While laterized soils can be challenging to work with due to their acidity, low fertility, and propensity to harden when dry, they can also support certain plant species that have adapted to such conditions.
In conclusion, laterization refers to the weathering process that occurs in tropical regions, resulting in the leaching and accumulation of iron and aluminum-rich materials, ultimately leading to the formation of laterite soils.
Etymology of LATERIZE
The word "laterize" originates from the noun "laterite". The term "laterite" comes from the Latin words "later", meaning "brick", and "terra", meaning "earth" or "land". Laterite refers to a type of soil or rock that is rich in iron and aluminum, typically found in tropical regions. The verb "laterize" is formed by adding the suffix "-ize", which means "to make" or "to become", to the word "laterite". Thus, "laterize" is the act of forming or becoming laterite, which occurs through the weathering of certain types of rocks in hot and humid conditions.
Conjugate verb Laterize
CONDITIONAL
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would laterize
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would laterize
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would laterize
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would laterize
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would laterize
CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS
I
would be laterizing
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would be laterizing
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would be laterizing
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would be laterizing
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would be laterizing
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have laterize
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would have laterize
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would have laterize
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would have laterize
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would have laterize
CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS
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would have been laterizing
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would have been laterizing
he/she/it
would have been laterizing
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would have been laterizing
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would have been laterizing
FUTURE
I
will laterize
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will laterize
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will laterize
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will laterize
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will laterize
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be laterizing
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will be laterizing
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will be laterizing
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will be laterizing
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will be laterizing
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have laterized
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will have laterized
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will have laterized
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will have laterized
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will have laterized
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been laterizing
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will have been laterizing
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will have been laterizing
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will have been laterizing
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will have been laterizing
IMPERATIVE
you
laterize
we
let´s laterize
to laterize
PAST
I
laterized
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laterized
he/she/it
laterized
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laterized
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laterized
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was laterizing
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were laterizing
he/she/it
was laterizing
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were laterizing
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were laterizing
PAST PARTICIPLE
laterized
PAST PERFECT
I
had laterized
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had laterized
he/she/it
had laterized
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had laterized
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had laterized
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been laterizing
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had been laterizing
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had been laterizing
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had been laterizing
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had been laterizing
PRESENT
I
laterize
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laterize
he/she/it
laterizes
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laterize
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laterize
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am laterizing
you
are laterizing
he/she/it
is laterizing
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are laterizing
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are laterizing
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
laterizing
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have laterized
you
have laterized
he/she/it
has laterized
we
have laterized
they
have laterized
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been laterizing
you
have been laterizing
he/she/it
has been laterizing
we
have been laterizing
they
have been laterizing
