Definition of "laterite" [lat•er•ite]

• A red residual soil formed by the leaching of silica and by enrichment with aluminum and iron oxides, especially in humid climates. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Because the soil on these islands consists of laterite, which is rich in minerals but very poor in humus material, it is subject to extreme erosion when forest cover is removed."
• "· Tripod - This can hold a pulley to aid in lifting the tool string and also support the upper end of the drill stems when drilling through harder layers, such as laterite (see Glossary)."
• "In dry soils such as laterite soils, it is a very small plant not exceeding 9 or 10 inches across its spread."