Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
fulgurite - 5 dictionary results

ful⋅gu⋅rite

[fuhl-gyuh-rahyt]
–noun
a tubelike formation in sand or rock, caused by lightning.

Origin:
1825–35; < L fulgur (see fulgurate ) + -ite 1
ful·gu·rite   (fŏŏl'gyə-rīt', -gə-, fŭl'-)   
n.  A slender, usually tubular body of glassy rock produced by lightning striking and then fusing dry sandy soil.

[Latin fulgur, lightning; see fulgurate + -ite1.]

Fulgurite

Ful"gu*rite\, n. [L. fulguritus, p. p. of fulgurire to strike with lightning, fr. fulgur lightning: cf. F. fulgurite.] A vitrified sand tube produced by the striking of lightning on sand; a lightning tube; also, the portion of rock surface fused by a lightning discharge.
fulgurite   (fl'gyə-rīt', -gə-)  Pronunciation Key 
A slender, usually tubular body of glassy rock produced by lightning striking and then fusing dry sandy soil.

fulgurite

a glassy silica mineral (lechatelierite or amorphous SiO2) fused in the heat from a lightning strike. Fulgurite is a common mineral with two varieties. Sand fulgurites, the more common, are branching, more or less cylindrical tubes that are about one centimetre (one-half inch) to several centimetres in diameter; they are commonly less than 3 metres (10 feet) long but sometimes reach 20 m (66 ft). The central cavity is usually lined with glass, and the exterior shows adhering sand grains. The shores of Lake Michigan and the Atlantic coast are typical sites

Learn more about fulgurite with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Search another word or see fulgurite on Thesaurus | Reference