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Glite Dictionary
🪨 Changed by heat 🐸 Transformed in form
metamorphous

metamorphous

9.2
A rock changed by heat and pressure deep inside the Earth
  • adjective
  • /ˌmɛtəˈmɔrfəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : metamórfico
  • The metamorphous rocks were formed under extreme heat and pressure.

Examples

  • Marble is a classic example of a metamorphous rock formed from limestone.

  • The geologist explained the metamorphous changes that granite undergoes deep within the Earth.

  • The region is known for its abundance of metamorphous rock formations created by ancient tectonic activity.

  • Scientists study metamorphous minerals to understand geological processes.

  • Marble is a classic example of a metamorphous rock formed from limestone.

  • The geologist explained the metamorphous changes that granite undergoes deep within the Earth.

  • The region is known for its abundance of metamorphous rock formations created by ancient tectonic activity.

Synonyms

metamorphic
vsmetamorphous
  • Specialized
2 7.7

Rock changed by heat or pressure deep underground

focuses specifically on rocks altered by heat and pressure rather than other forces

How Changed

metamorphous
  • Specialized
9.2
altered
3.6
unaltered
5 3.7

Surface Forms

metamorphous positive

Morphology

metamorphous = metamorph (semi-transparent) = meta + morph + ous

The adjective is formed with '-ous' from a recognizable metamorph-related base, but the geological sense is specialized and not fully predictable for many learners.

Etymology

The word metamorphous comes from Greek parts meta- meaning 'change' and morph meaning 'form', the same idea in metamorphosis. So a metamorphous rock is a rock that has 'changed form' by heat and pressure.