diorite

[ dahy-uh-rahyt ]

noun

1. a granular igneous rock consisting essentially of plagioclase feldspar and hornblende.

diorite

/ ˌdaɪəˈrɪtɪk; ˈdaɪəˌraɪt /

noun

1. a dark coarse-grained igneous plutonic rock consisting of plagioclase feldspar and ferromagnesian minerals such as hornblende

diorite

/ dī′ə-rīt′ /

1. A gray, coarse-grained plutonic rock. Diorite consists mainly of sodium-rich plagioclase and one or more mafic minerals such as biotite, hornblende, or pyroxene. It is the coarse-grained equivalent of andesite.

Derived Forms

• dioritic, adjective

Other Words From

• di·o·rit·ic [dahy-, uh, -, rit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diorite¹

1820–30; < French < Greek dior ( ízein ) to distinguish ( di- ³, horizon ) + French -ite -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of diorite¹

C19: from French, from Greek diorizein to distinguish (from dia- apart + horizein to define) + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Generally speaking, the soils produced from diorite are superior to those from dolerite.

From Project Gutenberg

The monument itself consists of a block of black diorite, nearly eight feet high, found in pieces, but readily rejoined.

From Project Gutenberg

During these eleven days I have found 20 exquisitely polished axes of diorite.

From Project Gutenberg

Hammers and wedges (battle-axes) of diorite and of green stone were also found, in most cases very prettily wrought.

From Project Gutenberg

We met with very few stone implements, only two beautiful axes of diorite, at the depths of 29 and 33 feet.

From Project Gutenberg