novaculite

[ noh-vak-yuh-lahyt ]

nounPetrology.
  1. a very hard sedimentary rock, similar to chert, composed essentially of microcrystalline quartz.

Origin of novaculite

1
1790–1800; <Latin novācul(a) a sharp knife, razor + -ite1

Words Nearby novaculite

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British Dictionary definitions for novaculite

novaculite

/ (nəʊˈvækjʊˌlaɪt) /


noun
  1. a fine-grained dense hard rock containing quartz and feldspar: used as a whetstone

Origin of novaculite

1
C18: from Latin novācula sharp knife, razor, from novāre to renew

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