batholith

[ bath-uh-lith ]

noun

, Geology.

1. a large body of intrusive igneous rock believed to have crystallized at a considerable depth below the earth's surface; pluton.

batholith

/ ˈbæθəˌlaɪt; ˈbæθəlɪθ /

noun

1. a very large irregular-shaped mass of igneous rock, esp granite, formed from an intrusion of magma at great depth, esp one exposed after erosion of less resistant overlying rocks

batholith

/ băth′ə-lĭth′ /

1. A large mass of igneous rock that has intruded and melted surrounding strata at great depths. Batholiths usually have a surface area of over 100 km ² (38 mi ²).

Derived Forms

• ˌbathoˈlithic, adjective

Other Words From

• batho·lithic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of batholith¹

First recorded in 1900–05; batho- + -lith

Example Sentences

Upon the southwestern border of the batholith the number of aplitic dikes greatly increases.

From Project Gutenberg