a. [f. L. arēnāce-us, f. ārēna sand: see -ACEOUS.] Having the appearance or consistency of sand; sandy; largely composed of sand or quartz grains.

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1646.  Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., 203. Fishes … whose egge or spawne is arenaceous and friable.

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1749.  Phil. Trans., XLVI. 144. A hard or stony arenaceous greyish substance.

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1833.  Lyell, Princ. Geol., III. 39. A limestone … becomes more arenaceous, until it finally passes into sand or sandstone.

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1854.  H. Miller, Sch. & Schm., ii. (1857), 22. A soft arenaceous mud.

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  b.  fig.

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1870.  Lowell, Among My Books, Ser. II. 239. There is an arenaceous quality in the style which makes progress wearisome.

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