phonolite

American  

[fohn-l-ahyt] / ˈfoʊn lˌaɪt /

noun

1. a fine-grained volcanic rock composed chiefly of alkali feldspar and nepheline, some varieties of which split into pieces that ring on being struck.

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phonolite British  

/ ˈfəʊnəˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a fine-grained volcanic igneous rock consisting of alkaline feldspars and nepheline

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Other Word Forms

• phonolitic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of phonolite

1820–30; < French < German Phonolith. See phono-, -lite

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

phonolite

XAS determination of the Fe local environment and oxidation state in phonolite glasses.

From Nature ● Dec. 12, 2017

It is formed of basalt, trachyte and phonolite, and the soil is very fertile.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 3 "Fenton, Edward" to "Finistere" by Various

These three lower beds are covered by an unconformable mantle D of stratified sandy earth, including many pebbles of quartz, pumice and phonolite, land and sea-shells.

From Geological Observations on South America by Charles Darwin

At last we draw ourselves up a huge wedge of phonolite and find ourselves at the summit of the first peak.

From The Columbia River Its History, Its Myths, Its Scenery, Its Commerce by William Denison Lyman

Some varieties are porous, some full of small holes, others black from grains of obsidian; and a few, especially near the dikes, incline to phonolite.

From The Highlands of Ethiopia by William Cornwallis Harris