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slickenside

noun
slick·​en·​side | \ ˈsli-kən-ˌsīd How to pronounce slickenside (audio) \

Definition of slickenside

: a smooth often striated surface produced on rock by movement along a fault or a subsidiary fracture —usually used in plural

Examples of slickenside in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 The 150-foot-long and 75-foot-tall surface is one of the largest chert slickensides exposures in California. — Thomas Graham, SFChronicle.com, "Walking these seven hills of San Francisco a peak experience," 28 June 2018

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

First Known Use of slickenside

1822, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for slickenside

English dialect slicken smooth (from slick entry 1) + English side

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Learn More about slickenside

Dictionary Entries near slickenside

slick-ear

slicken

slickens

slickenside

slicker

slickrock

slick spot

Statistics for slickenside

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for slickenside

The first known use of slickenside was in 1822

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More from Merriam-Webster on slickenside

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with slickenside

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about slickenside

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