felsic

American

[fel-sik] / ˈfɛl sɪk /

adjective

Geology.

(of rocks) consisting chiefly of feldspars, feldspathoids, quartz, and other light-colored minerals.

felsic Scientific

/ fĕl′sĭk /

Relating to an igneous rock that contains a group of light-colored silicate minerals, including feldspar, feldspathoid, quartz, and muscovite.
Compare mafic

Etymology

Origin of felsic

First recorded in 1910–15; fel(dspar) + s(ilica) + -ic

Compare meaning

How does felsic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

mafic vs. felsic

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.

Felsic is a contraction formed from feldspar, the dominant mineral in felsic rocks.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

Felsic lavas have lower temperatures and more silica and thus are higher viscosity.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

Felsic is the compositional term applied to continental igneous minerals and rocks that contain an abundance of orthoclase feldspar.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

Felsic magmas tend to have higher gas contents than mafic magmas, and they are also more viscous.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

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