[meteorite-list] What's the term for when a meteorite resembles an object? (Mimetoliths)

Paul H. oxytropidoceras at cox.net
Wed Apr 7 08:03:22 EDT 2010


Yinan Wang asked:

"Whats the term for when a meteorite resembles an object?"

The term that you are looking for is "mimetolith." A web page about 
mimetoliths by Dr. R. V. Dietrich can be found at:

http://www.cst.cmich.edu/USERS/DIETR1RV/mimetoliths/

"mimetolith - 1.a. a natural topographic feature, rock outcrop, rock specimen, 
mineral specimen, or loose stone the shape of which resembles something else 
-- e.g., a real or fancied animal, plant, manufactured item, or part(s) thereof. 
b. a topographic feature, rock outcrop, rock specimen, mineral specimen, or 
loose stone, the surface pattern of which resembles a real or fancied animal, ... . 
c. a topographic feature (et alia) with any combination of shape and pattern 
that resembles a real or fancied animal, . . . . [Greek mimetes (an imitator) 
and lithos (stone); term coined by Thomas Orzo MacAdoo, first appeared in 
(Dietrich, 1989).]"

Dietrich, R.V., 1989, Imagine: Another mimetolith. Rocks & Minerals. 
vol. 64, pp. 149-152.

Yours,

Paul H.




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