granulite

[ gran-yuh-lahyt ]

noun

1. a metamorphic rock composed of granular minerals of uniform size, as quartz, feldspar, or pyroxene, and showing a definite banding.

granulite

/ ˌɡrænjʊˈlɪtɪk; ˈɡrænjʊˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a granular foliated metamorphic rock in which the minerals form a mosaic of equal-sized granules

granulite

/ grăn′yə-līt′ /

1. A fine-grained metamorphic rock consisting of similarly sized, interlocking minerals. Unlike most metamorphic rocks, granulites do not exhibit foliation or textural or mineralogical layering.

Derived Forms

• granulitic, adjective

Other Words From

• gran·u·lit·ic [gran-y, uh, -, lit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of granulite¹

First recorded in 1840–50; granule + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Hornblende is green, rarely brownish; augite pale green or nearly colourless; enstatite appears in some granulite-gneisses.

From Project Gutenberg

The more micaceous varieties form transitions to granulite and gneiss.

From Project Gutenberg

The rock was of garnet gneiss, traversed by black dykes of pyroxene granulite.

From Project Gutenberg