sial
[
sahy
-al]
/ˈsaɪ æl/
noun
,
Geology
1.
the assemblage of rocks, rich in silica and alumina, that comprise the continental portions of the upper layer of the earth's crust.
Compare
sima
1
.
Origin
1920-25;
<
German,
equivalent to
Si
(
licium
)
silicium
+
Al
(
uminium
)
aluminum
Related forms
sialic,
adjective
British Dictionary definitions for
sial
sial
/
ˈsaɪəl
/
noun
1.
the silicon-rich and aluminium-rich rocks of the earth's continental upper crust, the most abundant individual rock being granite
Derived Forms
sialic
(
saɪˈælɪk
)
adjective
Word Origin
C20:
si
(
licon
) +
al
(
uminium
)