ferruginous, a.
(fəˈruːdʒɪnəs)
[f. L. ferrūgin-, ferrūgō iron rust (f. ferrum iron) + -ous. Cf. F. ferrugineux.
The use 1 b, which exists also in Fr., is due to the word being referred directly to the L. ferrum, as if its formation were analogous to that of oleaginous, etc.]
1. a. Originally: Of or pertaining to, of the nature of, iron rust; containing iron rust (said esp. of mineral springs, earths, etc.). b. Now commonly: Of the nature of iron as a chemical element; containing iron as a constituent.
| a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Bristol iii. 34 The Water thereof runneth through some Mineral of Iron, as appeareth by the rusty ferruginous taste. 1684 Boyle Mineral Waters Wks. 1772 IV. 798 Mineral waters, especially ferruginous ones. 1792 A. Young Trav. France 290 Franche Compté abounds with red ferruginous loams. 1807 T. Thomson Chem. (ed. 3) II. 342 Ferruginous prussiate of potash. 1816 W. Smith Strata Ident. 12 Concreted by a ferruginous cement. 1834 M. Somerville Connex. Phys. Sc. xxx. (1849) 352 A ferruginous body acquires polarity. 1871 Blackie Four Phases i. 122 The variations of the magnetic needle near ferruginous rocks. 1871 Daily News 21 Sept., A very insignificant ferruginous spring was the only one they came across. |
2. Resembling iron-rust in colour; reddish brown.
| 1656–81 Blount Glossogr., Ferruginous..of the colour of rusty iron. 1766 Pennant Zool. (1768) I. 104 The whole upper part of the body is of a ferruginous color. 1789 Mills in Phil. Trans. LXXX. 93 The water..tinges the sides of a ferruginous hue. 1870 Hooker Stud. Flora 462 Root⁓stock..clothed with broad ferruginous scales. |
b. In the names of animals, plants or minerals.
| 1847 Craig, Ferruginous opal, or Jasper opal. 1861 Miss Pratt Flower Pl. V. 95 Ferruginous Sallow. 1876 Smiles Sc. Natur. xv. (ed. 4) 259 The Ferruginous..and the Eider duck visit the lock occasionally. |
Hence, feˈrruginousness.
| 1727 in Bailey vol. II. |