igneous

igneous Definition

ig·ne·ous (ig′nē əs)

adjective

of, containing, or having the nature of, fire; fiery
produced by the action of fire; specif., formed by volcanic action or intense heat, as intrusive or extrusive rock solidified from molten magma or lava

Etymology: L igneus < ignis, a fire < IE base *egnis > Sans agníḥ, fire, Lith ugnìs

igneous Synonyms

modif.

formed by heat, volcanic, fiery; see hot 1, molten.

igneous Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

petrology: The notes cover the basic principles of igneous petrology including magma crystallization, igneous textures, magmatic differentiation and the naming of igneous rocks.
intrusion: There are also a number of igneous intrusions into the Coal Measures.
rock: Granite is an igneous rock formed deep within the earth.
geology: These enable a more diverse range of basic research topics to be undertaken, including palaeoenvironmental and igneous geology.
province: What is the role of mantle plumes in the formation of large igneous provinces ( LIPs )?
complex: The magmatic history of Mull Central igneous complex had four phases, acid, basic, acid, basic.

Modifying Another Word

hard: Even hard igneous rocks get weathered away eventually over millions of years to form sand grains.
mainly: To the west of the Twin Towers, 14 rock groins were built using large blocks of hard, mainly igneous, rock.

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