n. A red hard or gravel-like soil or subsoil formed in the tropics that has been leached of soluble minerals leaving insoluble iron and aluminium oxides and hydroxides; used to make bricks and roads.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. An argillaceous sandstone, of a red color, and much seamed; -- found in India.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. A rock of peculiar character, found in India and some parts of southwestern Asia.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. a red soil produced by rock decay; contains insoluble deposits of ferric and aluminum oxides
Word Usage
"Because the soil on these islands consists of laterite, which is rich in minerals but very poor in humus material, it is subject to extreme erosion when forest cover is removed."