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Glite Dictionary
aplitic

aplitic

9.9
Showing very small, even grains often in thin light bands in granite
  • adjective
  • /əˈplɪtɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : aplitico
  • The granite contained distinctive aplitic veins cutting across its surface.

Examples

  • She examined the aplitic texture under the microscope to determine mineral composition.

  • The aplitic texture of the rock was evident.

  • Geologists often encounter aplitic dikes in zones of intrusive igneous activity.

  • Geologists often study aplitic formations.

  • Geologists often encounter aplitic dikes in zones of intrusive igneous activity.

  • She examined the aplitic texture under the microscope to determine mineral composition.

  • The granite contained distinctive aplitic veins cutting across its surface.

Synonyms

aphanitic
vsaplitic
  • Specialized
9.9

A rock with very small crystals you cannot see without a microscope

refers to a specific fine-grained rock type rather than just the texture

Surface Forms

aplitic positive

Morphology

aplitic = aplite (transparent) = aplite + ic

Formed by straightforward derivation from the noun 'aplite' with the adjectival suffix '-ic' meaning 'relating to aplite'.

Etymology

Aplitic comes from aplite, the name for a very fine-grained igneous rock, and aplite probably comes from a Greek word meaning 'simple' or 'single'. So an aplitic rock is easy to remember as having a 'simple' look made of many very small, similar crystals.