I. ˈtripəlē, -li noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from Tripoli, region in northern Africa, its locality
1. : an earth consisting of very friable soft schistose deposits of silica regardless of their mode of origin and including diatomite and kieselguhr
2. : an earth consisting of deposits of friable and dustlike silica not of diatomaceous material and possibly derived from the decomposition of siliceous limestone
II. adjective
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: from Tripoli, Libya
1. : of or from Tripoli, a capital of Libya : of the kind or style prevalent in Tripoli
2.
[from Tripoli, Lebanon]
: of or from the city of Tripoli, Lebanon : of the kind or style prevalent in Tripoli