porphyry
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈpɔrfəri/
- Specialized
:
pórfido
- In the grand hall, the floor was adorned with elegant tiles made of porphyry and marble.
- porphyry country rock
- red porphyry
Examples
-
We are now approaching the most interesting corner of St. Sophia, including these two great red porphyry columns stolen and brought from Egypt.
-
There are jasper vases, porcelains I am told are rare, a handsome commode with lacquered corners, and two porphyry tables.
Fiction book (1992) -
The columns are porphyry, many of them.
-
There were no porphyry tables anywhere to be found, just parts of a broken spinning wheel.
Fiction book (1992) -
In entering the building, Jim had noticed that the bases of the columns under the arches had thickened: over the centuries, the marble and porphyry of those pillars had been so compressed by the weight above that the stone was spreading out on the floor like wax.
Academic text (2001) -
The statue was carved from porphyry, showcasing its stunning deep red color and large crystals.
-
Ancient structures often utilized porphyry for its durability and aesthetic appeal in their columns.
Synonyms
A rock that has large crystals inside a finer-grained rock
Antonyms
1
4.4
Contains very small, closely packed particles that make it feel smooth like fine sugar
How Porphyritic
- Specialized
1
9.9
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word porphyry comes from the Greek word porphyra meaning 'purple', because a famous purple rock was prized in ancient times. Today porphyry names a hard volcanic rock with large crystals in a finer ground, and the name reminds us of that purple, royal stone.