schist

[ shist ]

noun

any of a class of crystalline metamorphic rocks whose constituent mineral grains have a more or less parallel or foliated arrangement.

Origin of schist

1775–85; <New Latin schistus,Latin (lapis) schistos<Greek schistós divided, curdled, divisible, derivative of schízein to split, with -tos adj. suffix

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use schist in a sentence

A course gneiss is the predominant rock, but is associated with garnetiferous mica-schists and much intrusive granite.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 | Various
The Laurentian rocks of the typical Laurentide region are largely crystalline schists associated with massive crystalline rocks.
The Principles of Stratigraphical Geology | J. E. Marr
Large 36 blocks of ice fill the valley bottom between walls of black schists and porphyry.
Trans-Himalaya, Vol. 2 (of 2) | Sven Hedin
Granite predominates everywhere, but crystalline schists occur here and there.
Trans-Himalaya, Vol. 2 (of 2) | Sven Hedin
The rocks comprised weathered schists, quartzite, and granite—the last only in detached blocks.
Trans-Himalaya, Vol. 2 (of 2) | Sven Hedin

British Dictionary definitions for schist

schist

/ (ʃɪst) /

noun

any metamorphic rock that can be split into thin layers because its micaceous minerals have become aligned in thin parallel bands

Origin of schist

C18: from French schiste, from Latin lapis schistos stone that may be split, from Greek skhizein to split

Derived forms of schist

schistose, adjective
schistosity (ʃɪˈstɒsɪtɪ), noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for schist

schist

[ shĭst ]

A highly foliated, medium-grained metamorphic rock that splits easily into flakes or slabs along well-defined planes of mica. The mineral composition of schist is varied and is often reflected in the name given to the rock. For example, a schist that contains garnet is called a garnet schist. A schist containing chlorite is called a chlorite schist.

Other words from schist

schistose adjective (shĭs′tōs′)

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