LITHIFY Meaning and
Definition
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Lithify is a verb that refers to the transformation or process by which loose sediment or rock fragments become solid rock. It is derived from the root word "litho," which is derived from the Greek word "lithos," meaning "stone."
When sediments, such as sand, silt, or clay, accumulate and undergo lithification, they experience compaction and cementation. During compaction, the weight of overlying sediments exerts pressure on the lower layers, squeezing out air and reducing pore spaces. This compression causes the sediments to become tightly packed. Cementation takes place when minerals, commonly calcium carbonate, iron oxide, or silica, precipitate and fill the remaining open spaces between sediment particles. As a result, the sediment particles become glued together, forming solid rock.
The lithification process can occur in different geological settings, such as riverbeds, lake bottoms, or ocean floors, over a span of millions of years. Lithification is crucial in the formation of sedimentary rocks, which comprise a significant portion of the Earth's crust. Examples of lithified sedimentary rocks include sandstone, limestone, and shale.
The term "lithify" is often used in geology to describe the conversion of loose sediment into rock through compaction and cementation processes. It highlights the transition from unconsolidated sediments to a coherent and sturdy material, capable of withstanding pressure and weathering over time.
Etymology of LITHIFY
The word "lithify" is derived from the combination of two root words: "litho" and "fy".
1. "Litho" originates from the Greek word "lithos", meaning "stone" or "rock". This root is commonly used in various scientific terms related to rocks, such as "lithology" (the study of rocks) or "lithosphere" (the rigid outer layer of the Earth's surface).
2. The suffix "-fy" is derived from the Old French "-fier", which in turn comes from the Latin verb "-ficare". This suffix is used to form verbs that indicate making or causing a particular state or condition.
Combining these two elements, "lithify" was formed to mean "to make or become stone" or "to turn into a rock-like substance".
Conjugate verb Lithify
CONDITIONAL
I
would lithify
you
would lithify
he/she/it
would lithify
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would lithify
they
would lithify
CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS
I
would be lithifying
you
would be lithifying
he/she/it
would be lithifying
we
would be lithifying
they
would be lithifying
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have lithify
you
would have lithify
he/she/it
would have lithify
we
would have lithify
they
would have lithify
CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
would have been lithifying
you
would have been lithifying
he/she/it
would have been lithifying
we
would have been lithifying
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would have been lithifying
FUTURE
I
will lithify
you
will lithify
he/she/it
will lithify
we
will lithify
they
will lithify
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be lithifying
you
will be lithifying
he/she/it
will be lithifying
we
will be lithifying
they
will be lithifying
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have lithified
you
will have lithified
he/she/it
will have lithified
we
will have lithified
they
will have lithified
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been lithifying
you
will have been lithifying
he/she/it
will have been lithifying
we
will have been lithifying
they
will have been lithifying
IMPERATIVE
you
lithify
we
let´s lithify
to lithify
PAST
I
lithified
you
lithified
he/she/it
lithified
we
lithified
they
lithified
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was lithifying
you
were lithifying
he/she/it
was lithifying
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were lithifying
they
were lithifying
PAST PARTICIPLE
lithified
PAST PERFECT
I
had lithified
you
had lithified
he/she/it
had lithified
we
had lithified
they
had lithified
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been lithifying
you
had been lithifying
he/she/it
had been lithifying
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had been lithifying
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had been lithifying
PRESENT
I
lithify
you
lithify
he/she/it
lithifies
we
lithify
they
lithify
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am lithifying
you
are lithifying
he/she/it
is lithifying
we
are lithifying
they
are lithifying
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
lithifying
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have lithified
you
have lithified
he/she/it
has lithified
we
have lithified
they
have lithified
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been lithifying
you
have been lithifying
he/she/it
has been lithifying
we
have been lithifying
they
have been lithifying
