lithology

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li·thol·o·gy / liˈ[unvoicedth]äləjē/ • n. the study of the general physical characteristics of rocks. Compare with petrology. ∎  the general physical characteristics of a rock or the rocks in a particular area: the lithology of South Dakota.DERIVATIVES: lith·o·log·ic / ˌli[unvoicedth]əˈläjik/ adj.lith·o·log·i·cal / ˌli[unvoicedth]əˈläjikəl/ adj. lith·o·log·i·cal·ly / ˌli[unvoicedth]əˈläjik(ə)lē/ adv.

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