Definition of Hardpan

1. Noun. Crust or layer of hard subsoil encrusted with calcium-carbonate occurring in arid or semiarid regions.

Exact synonyms: Caliche
Generic synonyms: Dirt, Soil

Definition of Hardpan

1. n. The hard substratum. Same as Hard pan, under Hard, a.

Definition of Hardpan

1. Noun. A distinct layer of soil that is largely impervious to water. ¹

2. Noun. A dry lake. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Hardpan

1. a layer of hard subsoil [n -S]

Medical Definition of Hardpan

1. A very dense soil layer caused by compaction or cementation of soil particles by organic matter, silica, sesquioxides (aluminum and iron) or calcium carbonate, for example. (09 Oct 1997)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Hardpan

hardmen
hardmouthed
hardness
hardness scale
hardnesses
hardnose
hardnosed
hardnoses
hardock
hardocks
hardoke
hardokes
hardons
hardpack
hardpacks
hardpan (current term)
hardpans
hardpoint
hardpoints
hardpressed
hards
hardscape
hardscapes
hardscrabble
hardset
hardshell
hardship
hardships
hardspun
hardstand

Literary usage of Hardpan

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Biennial Report by California Dept. of Agriculture, California State Commission of Horticulture (1887)
"I think it is unprecedented that cultivation will form a hardpan; in fact, I am inclined to doubt that cultivation under any circumstances causes a hardpan, ..."

2. The Soils and Agriculture of the Southern States by Hugh Hammond Bennett (1921)
"This condition is properly described in classification as mottled with red, yellow, or gray or other colors predominating, as the case may be. hardpan ..."

3. Citrus Fruits: An Account of the Citrus Fruit Industry, with Special by John Eliot Coit (1915)
"On spots where hardpan is encountered, especially on knolls from which the soil is removed to fill up depressions, the conditions may be greatly improved by ..."

4. Geological Survey of Michigan by Michigan Geological Survey (1900)
"25, T. 15 N., R. 2 E.: Clay 80ft 80ft Gravel 1 103 hardpan 22 102 hardpan 34 137 Gravel 2 139 Blue clay 15 154 hardpan 10 164 hardpan 4 174 Sand and gravel, ..."

5. Soils: Their Formation, Properties, Composition, and Relations to Climate by Eugene Woldemar Hilgard (1921)
"This hardpan, easily destroyed by the use of gypsum and water, is described more in ... The Causes of hardpan.—The recognition of the cause of hardpan is of ..."

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