shale
pronunciation
How to pronounce shale in British English:
UK [ʃeɪl]
How to pronounce shale in American English:
US [ʃel]
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- Noun:
- a sedimentary rock formed by the deposition of successive layers of clay
Word Origin
- shale
- shale: see scale
- shale (n.)
- 1747, possibly a specialized use of Middle English schale "shell, husk, pod" (late 14c.), also "fish scale," from Old English scealu (see shell (n.)) in its base sense of "thing that divides or separate," in reference to the way the rock breaks apart in layers. Compare Middle English sheel "to shell, to take off the outer husk" (late 15c.). Geological use also possibly influenced by German Schalstein "laminated limestone," and Schalgebirge "layer of stone in stratified rock."
Example
- 1. Significant shale gas reserves exist in poland and france .
- 2. Shale gas can be controversial .
- 3. Wall street eagerly financed shale exploration efforts .
- 4. The scramble for shale is gaining momentum .
- 5. Development of shale takes time .