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Porphyry
CIDE DICTIONARY
Porphyry, n. [F. porphyre, L. porphyrites, fr. Gr. like purple, fr. purple. See Purple.].
A term used somewhat loosely to designate a rock consisting of a fine-grained base (usually feldspathic) through which crystals, as of feldspar or quartz, are disseminated. There are red, purple, and green varieties, which are highly esteemed as marbles. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
Porphyry, n. (pl. -ies)
1 a hard rock quarried in ancient Egypt, composed of crystals of white or red feldspar in a red matrix.
2 Geol. an igneous rock with large crystals scattered in a matrix of much smaller crystals.
1 a hard rock quarried in ancient Egypt, composed of crystals of white or red feldspar in a red matrix.
2 Geol. an igneous rock with large crystals scattered in a matrix of much smaller crystals.
Derivative
porphyritic adj.
Etymology
ME ult. f. med.L porphyreum f. Gk porphurites f. porphura purple
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