peridotite UK /ˈpɛɹ.ɪ.dəˌtaɪt/US /pəˈɹɪd.əˌtaɪt/ noun1 •A rock consisting of small crystals of olivine, pyroxene and hornblende; the major constituent of the Earth's mantle.Varieties of peridotite are distinguished by their mineral composition; for example, dunite is a peridotite which is virtually all olivine, and a dense, dark green in colour. — 2004 formsperidotites