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

As these were Ophite temples, a story has been added about this person having been stung by a serpent.

From Project Gutenberg

Many temples were erected to the Ophite God: and many cities were denominated from him.

From Project Gutenberg

The temple was an Ophite Petra: which terms induced people to believe, that there were in these temples serpents petrified.

From Project Gutenberg

There are allusions to these Ophite temples, and to these pillars, upon the coins of Syria, and Tyre.

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