'caliche' definitions:
Definition of 'caliche'
(from WordNet)
noun
Crust or layer of hard subsoil encrusted with calcium- carbonate occurring in arid or semiarid regions [syn: caliche, hardpan]
noun
Nitrate-bearing rock or gravel of the sodium nitrate deposits of Chile and Peru
Definition of 'caliche'
From: GCIDE
- caliche \ca*li"che\ (k[.a]*l[=e]"ch[-e]), n.
- 1. a deposit of sand or clay on the surface containing crystallized salts such as sodium chloride or sodium nitrate; -- used especially of the sodium nitrate deposits of Chile and Peru. --RHUD [PJC]
- 2. a stratum of calcium carbonate in the soil of an arid or semiarid region. [PJC]