porphyry

/'pɔ:firi/

Thân thiện

The geologist examines a polished slab of porphyry under bright light.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of igneous rock: "Porphyry" is a specific type of igneous rock characterized by a distinct texture. This texture consists of large, well-formed crystals (phenocrysts) embedded within a finer-grained or glassy groundmass (matrix).

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The ancient column was carved from a beautiful red porphyry.
  • Geologists study porphyry for clues about volcanic activity.
  • The museum displayed a vase made of Egyptian porphyry.

Advanced Usage

• "Porphyry copper deposit": A specific geological term for a major source of copper ore, where copper minerals are disseminated throughout a large volume of porphyritic rock.
  • The region's economy relies on mining a massive porphyry copper deposit.

Variants and Related Words

• Porphyritic (adj): Describing the texture characteristic of porphyry.
  • The sample showed a porphyritic texture with feldspar phenocrysts.

Synonyms

• Igneous rock: The general category of rock formed from cooled magma or lava.
• Volcanic rock: A type of igneous rock that cools at or near the Earth's surface (many porphyries are volcanic).

Related Phrases and Terms

• Phenocryst: The large, conspicuous crystal in a porphyritic rock.
• Groundmass: The finer-grained material surrounding the phenocrysts in a porphyritic rock.

Học thuật

Noun

1. any igneous rock with crystals embedded in a finer groundmass of minerals

Từ đồng nghĩa

• porphyritic rock