bentonite

bentonite

[′bent·ən‚īt]

(geology)

A clay formed from volcanic ash decomposition and largely composed of montmorillonite and beidellite. Also known as taylorite.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

bentonite

A clay, formed from decomposed volcanic ash, with a high content of the mineral montmorillonite; has the capability of absorbing a considerable amount of water, and swells accordingly.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.