aplite
- noun
- /ˈæplaɪt/
- Specialized
:
aplita
- The geologist identified a vein of aplite running through the granite outcrop.
Examples
-
Thin sections of aplite reveal its remarkably uniform texture under the microscope.
-
The quarry produces both granite and fine-grained aplite for construction use.
-
The aplite was discovered near the granite outcrop.
-
Many aplite formations can be found in the Sierra Nevada.
-
The geologist identified a vein of aplite running through the granite outcrop.
-
The quarry produces both granite and fine-grained aplite for construction use.
-
Thin sections of aplite reveal its remarkably uniform texture under the microscope.
Surface Forms
Morphology
aplite = apl + ite
The suffix '-ite' signals a mineral/rock (so learners may guess it is a geological material), but the stem 'apl' is not a standalone English word and does not transparently indicate the specific properties (fine-grained, light-coloured).
Etymology
Aplite comes from a Greek word haplós that means 'simple' or 'single'. It was named this because aplite is a light-colored, fine-grained rock made mostly of quartz and feldspar, so it has a 'simple' look and a very uniform texture compared with other rocks.
