felsite

[ fel-sahyt ]

noun

1. a dense, fine-grained, igneous rock consisting typically of feldspar and quartz, both of which may appear as phenocrysts.

felsite

/ fɛlˈsɪtɪk; ˈfɛlsaɪt; ˈfɛlˌstəʊn /

noun

1. any fine-grained igneous rock consisting essentially of quartz and feldspar

felsite

/ fĕl′sīt′ /

1. A fine-grained, light-colored igneous rock, consisting mainly of feldspar and quartz.

Derived Forms

• felsitic, adjective

Other Words From

• fel·sit·ic [fel-, sit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of felsite¹

First recorded in 1785–95; fels(par) + -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of felsite¹

C18: fels(par) + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Felsite, fel′sīt, n. a fine-grained, compact rock, a variety of quartz-porphyry—also Fel′stone.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg

Felspar in Colorado and felsite magnesian slate in Newfoundland carry gold.

From Project Gutenberg

Other hard rocks such as chert, quartzite, felsite, granite, sandstone and volcanic rocks very frequently are largely represented in gravels, while coal, limestone and shale are far less common.

From Project Gutenberg

Some rocks are felsitic in parts but elsewhere glassy; and it is not always clear whether the felsite is an original substance or has arisen by the devitrification of primary glass.

From Project Gutenberg

Although there are few objections to the employment of felsite as a field designation for rocks having the above characters, it lacks definiteness, and has been discarded by many petrologists as unsuited for the exact description of rocks, especially when their microscopic characters are taken into consideration.

From Project Gutenberg