More gneissic

noun

a metamorphic rock, generally made up of bands that differ in color and composition, some bands being rich in feldspar and quartz, others rich in hornblende or mica.

Origin:
1750–60; < German

Related forms

gneiss·ic, adjective

Can be confused: gneiss, nice (see usage note at nice).

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins

World English Dictionary

gneiss (naɪs)

—n
	any coarse-grained metamorphic rock that is banded and foliated: represents the last stage in the metamorphism of rocks before melting

[C18: from German Gneis, probably from Middle High German ganeist spark; related to Old Norse gneista to give off sparks]

'gneissic

—*adj*

'gneissoid

—*adj*

'gneissose

—*adj*

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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More gneissic is always a great word to know.

So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:

a fool or simpleton; ninny.

the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.

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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

gneiss

1757, from Ger. Gneiss "type of metamorphic rock," from M.H.G. gneist "spark" (so called because the rock glitters), from O.H.G. gneisto "spark."

American Heritage

Science Dictionary

gneiss

(nīs) Pronunciation Key
A highly foliated, coarse-grained metamorphic rock consisting of light-colored layers, usually of quartz and feldspar, alternating with dark-colored layers of other minerals, usually hornblende and biotite. Individual grains are often visible between layers. Gneiss forms as the result of the regional metamorphism of igneous, sedimentary, or other metamorphic rocks.

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