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Glite Dictionary
achondrite

achondrite

9.9
A stony meteorite without small round grains that formed when its asteroid or planet melted
  • noun
  • /ˈeɪkɒnˌdraɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : acontrito
  • As their name implies, stony achondrites lack chondrules.
  • achondrite meteorite

Examples

  • An achondrite called Bilanga (from West Africa), thought to have originated from the asteroid Vesta, sells in the $25 to $45 per gram range.

    Academic text (2001)

  • Lunar achondrites provide valuable insights into the geological history of the Moon.

  • Other achondrites to keep an eye out for would include eucrites, also from Vesta.

    Academic text (2001)

  • Lunar and Martian meteorites are achondrites.

    Academic text (2001)

  • Many scientists study achondrites to learn more about the formation of rocky planets.

  • An achondrite is characterized by its lack of chondrules, making it distinct from chondrites.

Synonyms

meteorite
vsachondrite
  • Specialized
62 6.7

A piece of rock or metal from space that falls to Earth

is narrower, defined by absence of small round grains and formation in differentiated bodies
meteorolite
vsachondrite
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A rock or metal piece from space that falls to Earth

is narrower, defined by lacking small round grains and by planetary differentiation
eucrite
vsachondrite
  • Specialized
9.9

A stony meteorite made mostly of volcanic rock, often from the asteroid Vesta

is broader and defined by lacking small round grains and by planetary differentiation
aerolite
vsachondrite
  • Archaic
9.9

A stone from space that fell to Earth and is made mostly of rock minerals

is focused on lacking small round grains and on planetary formation

Surface Forms

achondrite singular
achondrites plural

Morphology

achondrite = chondrite (semi-transparent) = a + chondrite

The meaning is mostly derivable from 'chondrite' plus the scientific negative prefix 'a-', but that prefix is not very familiar in everyday English.

Etymology

Achondrite starts with a- meaning 'not' and ends with chondrite, from a root that means 'grain'. So an achondrite is a meteorite 'without grains', because it lacks the small round grains found in chondrites and usually formed when its parent body melted and separated into layers.