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igneous

 - 3 dictionary results

ig⋅ne⋅ous

  [ig-nee-uhs]
Use igneous in a Sentence
–adjective
1. Geology. produced under conditions involving intense heat, as rocks of volcanic origin or rocks crystallized from molten magma.
2. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of fire.
Origin:
1655–65; < L igneus, equiv. to ign(is) fire + -eus -eous
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ig·ne·ous   (ĭg'nē-əs)   
adj.  

  1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of fire.

  2. Geology

    1. Formed by solidification from a molten state. Used of rocks.

    2. Of or relating to rock so formed; pyrogenic.


[From Latin igneus, from ignis, fire.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

igneous 
1664, from L. igneus "of fire, fiery," from ignis "fire," from PIE *egni- (cf. Skt. agnih "fire, sacrificial fire," O.C.S. ogni, Lith. ugnis "fire").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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