spherulite

[ sfer-oo-lahyt, -yoo-, sfeer- ]

noun

, Petrology.

1. a rounded aggregate of radiating crystals found in obsidian and other glassy igneous rocks.

spherulite

/ ˌsfɛrʊˈlɪtɪk; ˈsfɛrʊˌlaɪt /

noun

1. any of several spherical masses of radiating needle-like crystals of one or more minerals occurring in rocks such as obsidian

Derived Forms

• spherulitic, adjective

Other Words From

• spher·u·lit·ic [sfer-, oo, -, lit, -ik, -y, oo, -, sfeer-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spherulite¹

First recorded in 1815–25; spherule + -ite ¹