caliche

noun

ca·li·che | \ kə-ˈlē-chē

Definition of caliche

1 : the nitrate-bearing gravel or rock of the sodium nitrate deposits of Chile and Peru

2 : a crust of calcium carbonate that forms on the stony soil of arid regions

Examples of caliche in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In Presidio, Randy Kennedy’s debut novel, the landscape of the Panhandle, West Texas, and the Mexican border, with its caliche and shin oaks and pumpjacks and ocotillo, brushes alongside the plot like an intricate central character. — Eve Macsweeney, Vogue, "In Randy Kennedy’s Presidio, a Startling Road Trip Thriller Full of Twists and Turns," 17 Aug. 2018 Plant bare-root roses and trees, breaking up caliche if trees will be taprooted. — idahostatesman, "A gardening to do list for March and April | Idaho Statesman," 21 Mar. 2018 There was little reason to pave our driveway, because white caliche rock tracks like glue and deposits all over the ground during wet weather. — Neil Sperry, star-telegram, "Mother Nature isn’t a fan of straight lines, and we shouldn’t be either," 19 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'caliche.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.