scoria

[ skawr-ee-uh, skohr- ]

noun

, plural sco·ri·ae [skawr, -ee-ee, skohr, -].

1. Metallurgy. the refuse, dross, or slag left after melting or smelting metal; scum.
2. Geology. a cinderlike basic cellular lava.

scoria

/ ˈskɔːrɪə; ˌskɔːrɪˈeɪʃəs /

noun

1. a rough cindery crust on top of solidified lava flows containing numerous vesicles
2. refuse obtained from smelted ore; slag

scoria

/ skôr′ē-ə /

, Plural scoriae skôr′ē-ē′

1. Rough, crusty, solidified lava containing numerous vesicles that originated as gas bubbles in the lava while it was still molten.

Derived Forms

• scoriaceous, adjective

Other Words From

• sco·ri·a·ceous [skawr-ee-, ey, -sh, uh, s, skohr-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scoria¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin scōria < Greek skōría, derivative of skôr dung

Word History and Origins

Origin of scoria¹

C17: from Latin: dross, from Greek skōria, from skōr excrement

Example Sentences

After closing Diamondback, the men went their separate ways, with Schimel launching a fund called Sterling Ridge while Sapanski ran a fund called Scoria Capital.

From Reuters

The large cylindrical pukaos are made of red volcanic rock called scoria, while the Moai heads are carved from volcanic tuff.

From BBC

Red scoria is also porous and therefore less dense than tuff, making it easier to raise into position.

From BBC

The members of the Spanish expedition to Easter Island in 1770 were the first to record their descriptions of the scoria hats.

From BBC

He long has been considered the top winemaker in the Gem State, and is the consulting winemaker for others, most notably 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards in Eagle, Williamson and nearby Scoria Vineyards.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• basalt
• magma
• slag