lamprophyre

[ lam-pruh-fahyuhr ]

noun

, Petrology.

1. any dark intrusive rock in which dark minerals occur both as phenocrysts and as groundmass.

lamprophyre

/ ˈlæmprəˌfaɪə /

noun

1. any of a group of basic igneous rocks consisting of feldspathoids and ferromagnesian minerals, esp biotite: occurring as dykes and minor intrusions

lamprophyre

/ lăm′prə-fīr′ /

1. A dark igneous rock, having a porphyritic texture in which both the phenocrysts (larger crystals) and the matrix consist primarily of pyroxene, hornblende, and biotite.

Other Words From

• lam·pro·phyr·ic [lam-pr, uh, -, fir, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lamprophyre¹

1885–90; lampro- (< Greek lamprós clear) + -phyre

Word History and Origins

Origin of lamprophyre¹

C19: from Greek lampros bright + -phyre, from porphyry

Example Sentences

There are only three types of magma on the planet that can manage it, at least that we’ve identified so far: kimberlite, lamproite, and lamprophyre.

From Scientific American

Sheets of quartz-porphyry, lamprophyre and diorite are also represented, the first of these types being quarried at Crarae on the north shore of Loch Fyne.

From Project Gutenberg

They are found mostly as loose crystals in gravel, but are known also in igenous rocks like andesite and lamprophyre.

From Project Gutenberg