Geol. [Ger., lit. minestone.] A limestone stratum of the Permian system as developed in parts of Germany, corresponding to the Magnesian Limestone of the N.E. of England; also extended to the series of rocks containing this, forming the upper division of the Permian.
1823. Amer. Jrnl. Sci., VI. 189. On the Rhine…, the Zechstein or 1st floetz limestone is imbedded in the coalfield.
1885. Geikie, Text-bk. Geol. (ed. 2), VI. ii. v. § 2. 754. Zechstein, an argillaceous thin-bedded compact limestone.
