diorite

[ dahy-uh-rahyt ]

/ ˈdaɪ əˌraɪt /

noun

a granular igneous rock consisting essentially of plagioclase feldspar and hornblende.

Nearby words

Origin of diorite

1820–30; < French < Greek dior(ízein) to distinguish (see di-³, horizon) + French -ite -ite¹

Related formsdi·o·rit·ic

[dahy-uh-rit-ik] /ˌdaɪ əˈrɪt ɪk/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for diorite

On three diorite bowls found in these graves (one inside the walls, the others outside) the name of Sneferu appeared.
El Kab|J.E. Quibell
The chair is without a back, and, curiously enough, the head is that of a much older man than the Chephren of the diorite statue.
A History of Art in Ancient Egypt, Vol. II (of 2)|Georges Perrot
During these eleven days I have found 20 exquisitely polished axes of diorite.
Troy and its Remains|Henry (Heinrich) Schliemann
They are in diorite, and have the name of Apepi engraved upon them.
Ancient Egypt|George Rawlinson

He has done the same with diorite, both by driving off small chips from it and by pulverizing its surface with the help of jasper.
A History of Art in Ancient Egypt, Vol. II (of 2)|Georges Perrot

British Dictionary definitions for diorite

diorite

/ (ˈdaɪəˌraɪt) /

noun

a dark coarse-grained igneous plutonic rock consisting of plagioclase feldspar and ferromagnesian minerals such as hornblende

Derived Formsdioritic (ˌdaɪəˈrɪtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for diorite

C19: from French, from Greek diorizein to distinguish (from dia- apart + horizein to define) + -ite 1

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

Science definitions for diorite

diorite

[ dī′ə-rīt′ ]

A gray, coarse-grained plutonic rock. Diorite consists mainly of sodium-rich plagioclase and one or more mafic minerals such as biotite, hornblende, or pyroxene. It is the coarse-grained equivalent of andesite.