melaphyre

[ mel-uh-fahyuhr ]

noun

, Petrology.

1. a type of dark igneous rock embedded with feldspar crystals, related to basalt.

melaphyre

/ ˈmɛləˌfaɪə /

noun

1. obsolete.
   geology a type of weathered amygdaloidal basalt or andesite

Other Words From

• mel·a·phyr·ic [mel-, uh, -, fir, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of melaphyre¹

C19: via French from Greek melas black + ( por ) phura purple

Example Sentences

In China, at the close of the period, there were enormous eruptions of melaphyre, porphyrite and quartz-porphyry.

From Project Gutenberg

Melaphyre is a name given to the very dark varieties of altered augitic lavas, rich in magnetite and chlorite.

From Project Gutenberg

The rocks consist chiefly of basalt, dolerite, melaphyre and felstone.

From Project Gutenberg