# caliche

> English word · Noun · IPA /kəˈlit͡ʃi/

## Definitions
1. A crude form of sodium nitrate from South America; used as a fertilizer.
2. A layer of hard clay subsoil or sedimentary rock; hardpan.

## Etymology
From Spanish caliche, from Latin calx (“pebble”); compare chalk.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/caliche