Main Entry:

lith·o·sphere

Pronunciation:

\ˈli-thə-ˌsfir\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

International Scientific Vocabulary

Date:

1887

: the solid part of a celestial body (as the earth) ; specifically : the outer part of the solid earth composed of rock essentially like that exposed at the surface, consisting of the crust and outermost layer of the mantle, and usually considered to be about 60 miles (100 kilometers) in thickness

— lith·o·spher·ic \ˌli-thə-ˈsfir-ik, -ˈsfer-\ adjective