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igneous

 - 4 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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Science Dictionary
igneous   (ĭg'nē-əs)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. Relating to rocks or minerals formed by the cooling and hardening of magma or molten lava. Basalt and granite are examples of igneous rocks.

  2. Relating to the processes, such as volcanism, by which such rocks and minerals form.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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