diorite

[ dahy-uh-rahyt ]

/ ˈdaɪ əˌraɪt /

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noun

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

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Origin of diorite

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

OTHER WORDS FROM diorite

di·o·rit·ic

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

Words nearby diorite

dioptre, dioptric, dioptrics, Dior, diorama, diorite, dioscin, Dioscuri, diosgenin, diosmose, diotic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use diorite in a sentence

Generally speaking, the soils produced from diorite are superior to those from dolerite.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson
The monument itself consists of a block of black diorite, nearly eight feet high, found in pieces, but readily rejoined.
The Oldest Code of Laws in the World|Hammurabi, King of Babylon
During these eleven days I have found 20 exquisitely polished axes of diorite.
Troy and its Remains|Henry (Heinrich) Schliemann
Hammers and wedges (battle-axes) of diorite and of green stone were also found, in most cases very prettily wrought.
Troy and its Remains|Henry (Heinrich) Schliemann

We met with very few stone implements, only two beautiful axes of diorite, at the depths of 29 and 33 feet.
Troy and its Remains|Henry (Heinrich) Schliemann

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 forms of diorite

dioritic (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

Scientific 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.