ignimbrite

[ ig-nim-brahyt ]

nounPetrology.
  1. a fine-grained volcanic rock consisting mainly of welded shards of feldspar and quartz.

Origin of ignimbrite

1
1932; <Latin ign(is) fire + imbr-, stem of imber rain, shower + -ite1
  • Also called welded tuff.

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British Dictionary definitions for ignimbrite

ignimbrite

/ (ˈɪɡnɪmˌbraɪt) /


noun
  1. a rock formed by the deposition at high temperature and the consolidation of a nuée ardente or other type of ash flow, being a complicated mixture of volcanic materials welded together by heat, hot gases, and pressure: Also called: welded tuft See tuft

Origin of ignimbrite

1
C20: from Latin ign (is) fire + imbr (is), imber shower of rain + -ite 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for ignimbrite

ignimbrite

[ ĭgnĭm-brīt′ ]


  1. A volcanic rock formed by the consolidation of volcanic ash and other material ejected by an explosive volcanic eruption.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.