[Ger. (named by Ehrenberg), f. kiesel gravel, CHESIL1 + GUHR.] An earth composed of the siliceous remains of diatoms, used as an absorbent of nitroglycerine in the manufacture of dynamite; diatomite.
1875. Ure’s Dict. Arts, II. 176. A porous, infusorial, silicious earth known in Germany as ‘Kieselguhr.’ Ibid. None of these [absorbents] appeared thoroughly equal to Kieselguhr in their power of retaining a very large proportion of the oil.
1885. Martindale & Westcott, Extra Pharmacop. (ed. 4), 226. Kieselguhr, a diatomaceous earth, known as white peat.
