granophyre

[ gran-uh-fahyuhr ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a fine-grained or porphyritic granitic rock with a micrographic intergrowth of the minerals of the groundmass.

granophyre

/ ˈɡrænəʊˌfaɪə; ˌɡrænəʊˈfɪrɪk /

a fine-grained granitic rock in which irregular crystals of intergrown quartz and feldspar are embedded in a groundmass of these minerals

granophyre

/ grăn′ə-fīr′ /

A fine-grained igneous rock that has large intergrown crystals of quartz and feldspar in the matrix.

First recorded in 1880–85; grano- + -phyre

C19: from gran ( ite ) + -phyre after porphyry

This is the essential distinction between a granite and a quartz-porphyry or a granophyre.

Still later, dolerite sills and sheets and dikes of granophyre and quartz felsite followed in the same region.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse