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phenocryst
[ fee-nuh-krist, fen-uh- ]
phenocryst
/ ˈfiːnəˌkrɪst; ˈfɛn- /
noun
- any of several large crystals that are embedded in a mass of smaller crystals in igneous rocks such as porphyry
phenocryst
/ fē′nə-krĭst′ /
- A large crystal that is surrounded by a finer-grained matrix in an igneous rock. Phenocrysts are usually the first crystals to form from a cooling magma, and therefore have sufficient room to grow to a large size. They are analogous to porphyroblasts in metamorphic rock.
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Word History and Origins
Origin of phenocryst1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of phenocryst1
C19: from pheno- (shining) + crystal
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