cataclasis

 [kat-uh-kley-sis, kuh-tak-luh-sis]  

cat·a·cla·sis

   [kat-uh-kley-sis, kuh-tak-luh-sis]
noun Petrology.
a process of deformation or metamorphism in which the grains of a rock are fractured and rotated.
Origin:
< Greek katáklasis refraction, equivalent to katakla-, stem of kataklân to break off, refract, break down (kata- cata- + klân to break) + -sis -sis; compare Norwegian kataklasstruktur (1885)

Related forms
cat·a·clas·tic  [kat-uh-klas-tik] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Cataclasis is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Collins
World English Dictionary
cataclasis (ˌkætəˈkleɪsɪs)
 
—n , pl -ses
geology the deformation of rocks by crushing and shearing
 
[C19: New Latin, from Greek, from cata- + klasis a breaking]
 
cataclastic
 
—adj

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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