porphyry
/ˈpɔɹ.fɪ.ɹi/ noun, proper noun
Forms porphyries
- noun (geology) A hard igneous rock consisting of large crystals in a fine-grained matrix.
- noun A purple-red rock of this kind.
- proper noun A Tyrian Neoplatonic philosopher.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Old French porfire, from Ancient Greek πορφυρίτης λίθος (porphurítēs líthos, “purple stone”), from πορφύρα (porphúra, “purple-fish, purple dye”).
Webster’s 1913
- noun 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. Porphyry shell (Zoöl.), a handsome marine gastropod shell (Oliva porphyria), having a dark red or brown polished surface, marked with light spots, like porphyry.
Etymology [F. porphyre, L. porphyrites, fr. Gr. Purple.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “porphyry”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details