LITHOSPHERE

lithosphere, geosphere

(noun) the solid part of the earth consisting of the crust and outer mantle

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

lithosphere (plural lithospheres)

(geology) The rigid, mechanically strong, outer layer of the Earth; divided into twelve major plates.

Coordinate terms

• atmosphere

• hydrosphere

Anagrams

• heterophils

Source: Wiktionary

Lith"o*sphere, n. [Litho- + sphere.] (Phys. Geog.) (a) The solid earth as distinguished from its fluid envelopes, the hydrosphere and atmosphere. (b) The outer part of the solid earth, the portion undergoing change through the gradual transfer of material by volcanic eruption, the circulation of underground water, and the process of erosion and deposition. It is, therefore, regarded as a third mobile envelope comparable with the hydrosphere and atmosphere.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition