variolite

[ vair-ee-uh-lahytvar- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Petrology.

a rock embedded with varioles; a variolitic rock.

variolite

/ ˈvɛərɪəˌlaɪt; ˌvɛərɪəˈlɪtɪk /

noun

any basic igneous rock containing rounded bodies (varioles) consisting of radiating crystal fibres

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Derived Forms

variolitic, adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of variolite¹

First recorded in 1780–85; probably from New Latin variolītēs, from Medieval Latin variola variola ( def ) + -ītēs noun suffix; -ite ¹( def )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of variolite¹

C18: from variola , referring to the pockmarked appearance of the rock

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variole variolitic

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