felsic

American

[fel-sik] / ˈfɛl sɪk /

adjective

Geology.

(of rocks) consisting chiefly of feldspars, feldspathoids, quartz, and other light-colored minerals.

felsic Scientific

/ fĕl′sĭk /

Relating to an igneous rock that contains a group of light-colored silicate minerals, including feldspar, feldspathoid, quartz, and muscovite.
Compare mafic

Etymology

Origin of felsic

First recorded in 1910–15; fel(dspar) + s(ilica) + -ic

Compare meaning

How does felsic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

mafic vs. felsic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Felsic lavas have lower temperatures and more silica and thus are higher viscosity.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

Felsic is a contraction formed from feldspar, the dominant mineral in felsic rocks.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

Felsic is the compositional term applied to continental igneous minerals and rocks that contain an abundance of orthoclase feldspar.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

Felsic magmas tend to have higher gas contents than mafic magmas, and they are also more viscous.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023