plutonism

[ ploot-n-iz-uhm ]

noun

, Geology.

1. the intrusion of magma and associated deep-seated processes within the earth's crust.
2. (often initial capital letter) the disproven theory that all rocks formed by solidification of a molten mass, promulgated by Scottish geologist James Hutton (1726–97).

Other Words From

• pluto·nist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of plutonism¹

First recorded in 1840–50; pluton(ic) + -ism

Example Sentences

It may be said to have rung the knell of Wernerianism, which thereafter rapidly declined in influence, while Plutonism came steadily to the front, where it has ever since remained.

From Project Gutenberg

This was unjustly asserted to be equivalent to a declaration that the world had neither beginning nor end; and thus it came about that Wernerism, Neptunism and Catastrophism were long regarded as synonymous with Orthodoxy, while Plutonism and 'Uniformitarianism' were looked upon with aversion and horror as subversive of religion and morality.

From Project Gutenberg

The misfortune was that Edinburgh at that time had become the cockpit in which the barren conflict between "Neptunism" and "Plutonism" was being waged with blind fury and theological bitterness.

From Project Gutenberg