laccolith

[ lak-uh-lith ]

nounGeology.
  1. a mass of igneous rock formed from magma that did not find its way to the surface but spread laterally into a lenticular body, forcing overlying strata to bulge upward.

Origin of laccolith

1
1875–80; <Greek lákko(s) pond + -lith
  • Also lac·co·lite [lak-uh-lahyt]. /ˈlæk əˌlaɪt/.

Other words from laccolith

  • lac·co·lith·ic, lac·co·lit·ic [lak-uh-lit-ik], /ˌlæk əˈlɪt ɪk/, adjective

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British Dictionary definitions for laccolith

laccolith

laccolite (ˈlækəˌlaɪt)

/ (ˈlækəlɪθ) /


noun
  1. a dome-shaped body of igneous rock between two layers of older sedimentary rock: formed by the intrusion of magma, forcing the overlying strata into the shape of a dome: See lopolith

Origin of laccolith

1
C19: from Greek lakkos cistern + -lith

Derived forms of laccolith

  • laccolithic or laccolitic (ˌlækəˈlɪtɪk), adjective

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 laccolith

laccolith

[ lăkə-lĭth′ ]


  1. A body of igneous rock intruded between layers of sedimentary rock, resulting in uplift. Laccoliths are usually plano-convex in cross-section, having a flat bottom and a convex top, and are roughly circular in plan. They are usually connected to a dike and are typically up to 8 km (5 mi) in diameter and tens to hundreds of meters thick. See illustration at batholith.

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