ophite

[ of-ahyt, oh-fahyt ]

noun

, Petrology.

1. a diabase in which elongate crystals of plagioclase are embedded in pyroxene.

ophite

/ ˈəʊfaɪt /

noun

1. any of several greenish mottled rocks with ophitic texture, such as dolerite and diabase

Other Words From

• o·phit·ic [oh-, fit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ophite¹

1350–1400; Middle English ophites < Latin ophītēs serpentine stone < Greek ophī́tēs ( líthos ) serpentine (stone), equivalent to óph ( is ) serpent + -ī́tēs -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ophite¹

C17: from Latin ophītēs, from Greek, from ophis snake: because the mottled appearance resembles the markings of a snake

Example Sentences

The first inhabitants of Europe are said to have been the offspring of a woman, partly of the human and partly of the dracontic figure, a tradition which alludes to their Ophite origin.

From Project Gutenberg

His priests in accommodation with the general custom of the Ophite god, were called after him “Adders.”

From Project Gutenberg

These serpents were of the same nature as the birds of Diomedes, and the dogs in the temple of Vulcan; and the histories relate to Ophite priests, who used to spare their own people and sacrifice strangers, a custom which prevailed at one time in most parts of the world.

From Project Gutenberg

And to confirm the original mutual connexion of all the serpent-worshippers throughout all the world—the Mexican paintings, as well as the Egyptian and Persian hieroglyphics, describe the Ophite Hierogram of the intertwined serpents in almost all its varieties.

From Project Gutenberg

By this is meant the Ophite race, who came from Egypt, and from Syria, and got footing in this island.

From Project Gutenberg