concretions
Solidified mineral deposits
Concretions are hard, compact masses that form when mineral matter accumulates around a nucleus—a shell, bone, or grain of sand.
They occur naturally in sedite sedimentary rock and sometimes contain fossils.
In medicine, concretions are solid masses that form in body tissues or cavities, like kidney stones or calcium deposits.
The word extends figuratively to any process of hardening or solidifying: the concretion of vague ideas into firm beliefs.
Rounded small lump
- geodeCrystal-lined rock cavity
- calciteCrystalline calcium carbonate
- aragoniteCalcium carbonate crystal form
- chalcedonyTranslucent microcrystalline silica variety
chert · flint · ironstone · siderite · pyrite · marcasite · cannonball · strata
Mass formed in stomach
- pearlMollusk-formed gemstone
- calcifiedHardened by calcium deposits
- calcium depositsAccumulated mineral in tissue
- hardeningBecoming less soft
mineralization · bone spurs · arterial plaque · crystallization
Mineral formations in organs
- gallstonesHardened bile deposits
- bladder stonesHardened mineral masses in urine-holding organ
- calculusMathematical analysis system
- lithotripsyShattering calculi with soundwaves
Becoming rock-like
- replacementWhat takes another's place
- moldsHollow shaping containers
- castsTosses, or actor groups
- amberHardened ancient tree secretion
Hanging cave mineral deposit
- stalagmiteUpward-growing cave deposit
- flowstoneCalcite sheet from seepage
- dripstoneCave mineral deposit
- travertineLimestone from thermal springs
tufa · cave formations · limestone caves · soda straws · moonmilk · karst
nodule
Rounded small lump
- geodeCrystal-lined rock cavity
- calciteCrystalline calcium carbonate
- aragoniteCalcium carbonate crystal form
chalcedony · chert · flint · ironstone · siderite · pyrite · marcasite · cannonball · strata · sedimentary
bezoar
Mass formed in stomach
- pearlMollusk-formed gemstone
- calcifiedHardened by calcium deposits
- calcium depositsAccumulated mineral in tissue
hardening · mineralization · bone spurs · arterial plaque · crystallization
kidney stones
Mineral formations in organs
- gallstonesHardened bile deposits
- bladder stonesHardened mineral masses in urine-holding organ
- calculusMathematical analysis system
petrification
Becoming rock-like
- replacementWhat takes another's place
- moldsHollow shaping containers
- castsTosses, or actor groups
amber · coprolites · trilobites · ammonites
stalactite
Hanging cave mineral deposit
- stalagmiteUpward-growing cave deposit
- flowstoneCalcite sheet from seepage
- dripstoneCave mineral deposit
travertine · tufa · cave formations · limestone caves · soda straws · moonmilk · karst
- mineralsquartz, marble, granite, limestone, sandstone
- residueresidue, buildup, film, scum, grime
- Sedimentologygrain size, porosity, permeability, bedding, stratification
- diagenesiscementation, compaction, recrystallization, cement, porosity
- Mazon Creek
- mineralizationcalcification, crystallization, fossilization, petrification, precipitation
concretionsloose sediment
sand · gravel · loose soil · dust · silt
concretionsabstractions
Non-concrete conceptual ideas
generalizations · intangibles · abstracts · ideas · concepts