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Glite Dictionary
porphyritic

porphyritic

9.9
A rock that has large crystals in a background of small grains
  • adjective
  • /ˌpɔrfəˈrɪtɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : porfirítico
  • The geologist examined the porphyritic rock sample closely.

Examples

  • Many volcanic rocks are porphyritic, containing phenocrysts set in a fine matrix.

  • The geologist identified the stone as porphyritic due to its large, well-formed crystals.

  • The granite sample displayed a porphyritic texture with prominent feldspar crystals.

  • This porphyritic texture indicates a complex cooling history.

  • The geologist explained that the porphyritic rock had large crystals that made it unique.

  • The sample collected from the mountain was porphyritic, showcasing its distinct crystal structure.

  • In studying the landscape, we identified several outcrops of porphyritic basalt that revealed its formation history.

Antonyms

homogeneous
20 6.6

Made of people or things that are all the same

fine-grained
1 4.4

Contains very small, closely packed particles that make it feel smooth like fine sugar

Compounds

porphyritic rock
  • Specialized
9.6

A rock that has large crystals inside a finer-grained rock

How Porphyritic

porphyritic
  • Specialized
9.9
aphanitic
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

porphyritic positive

Morphology

porphyritic = porphyrite (opaque) = porphyrite + ic

The adjective is a specialist geological term whose specific meaning (rock texture with large crystals in a fine matrix) is not deducible by an average learner from the base word.

Etymology

Porphyritic comes from the Greek word porphyra 'purple' and from porphyry, a hard purple stone that often shows large, clear crystals. That's why geologists call a rock porphyritic when its big crystals stand out in a finer background.