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basanite

American  
[bas-uh-nahyt, baz-] / ˈbæs əˌnaɪt, ˈbæz- /

noun

Petrography.

  1. a basaltic rock composed chiefly of plagioclase, olivine, and augite.

basanite British  
/ ˈbæsəˌnaɪt /

noun

  1. a black basaltic rock containing plagioclase, augite, olivine, and nepheline, leucite, or analcite, formerly used as a touchstone

"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

Etymology

Origin of basanite

1745–55; < Latin basanītēs; see basalt

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.

But in a historical and scientific point of view, the whole country lying about the basanite roots of Snaefell is most interesting.

From Letters from High Latitudes by Dufferin, Lord

In the fourth, again, he was seen converting the ill-advised Battus into that stone that is called basanite; and in the fifth and last was his slaying, so cunningly achieved, of the many-eyed Argus.

From Lives of the most Eminent Painters Sculptors and Architects Vol 10 (of 10) Bronzino to Vasari, & General Index. by Vasari, Giorgio

The flows from Kibo include nepheline and leucite basanite lavas rich in soda felspars.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various

Or is he a kind of basanite for bunches, and do they come out on us at the sight of him?

From Friendship Village by Gale, Zona

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.