black sand

1 of 2

noun

: dark-colored sand

a black sand beach

Along the coast the sea gnaws at the twisted lava, and eventually reduces it to "black sand."

—Cheryl Simon, Science News, 9 July 1983

specifically : dark sand containing small fragments of magnetite usually found as part of a geological deposit

Slow down as black sand begins to accumulate in the bottom of the pan, and watch for any gold that might move up toward the rim of the pan.

—Alan M. Cvancara, A Field Guide for the Amateur Geologist, 1995

Note: Deposits of black sand are often signs of valuable resources such as gold, rare earth elements, or gems.

Black Sand

2 of 2

adjective

: of or relating to a component of Woodland culture and a physical type first found in central Illinois

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

so called from the glacial sand of the Illinois river flood plain near Liverpool, Illinois, where remains were found

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1550, in the meaning defined above

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