lamprophyre

[ lam-pruh-fahyuhr ]

noun

, Petrology.

1. any dark intrusive rock in which dark minerals occur both as phenocrysts and as groundmass.

lamprophyre

/ ˈlæmprəˌfaɪə /

noun

1. any of a group of basic igneous rocks consisting of feldspathoids and ferromagnesian minerals, esp biotite: occurring as dykes and minor intrusions

lamprophyre

/ lăm′prə-fīr′ /

1. A dark igneous rock, having a porphyritic texture in which both the phenocrysts (larger crystals) and the matrix consist primarily of pyroxene, hornblende, and biotite.

Other Words From

• lam·pro·phyr·ic [lam-pr, uh, -, fir, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lamprophyre¹

1885–90; lampro- (< Greek lamprós clear) + -phyre

Word History and Origins

Origin of lamprophyre¹

C19: from Greek lampros bright + -phyre, from porphyry

Example Sentences

Each variety of lamprophyre may and often does contain all four minerals but is named according to the two which preponderate.

From Project Gutenberg

It is supposed that they did not crystallize in the lamprophyre dike but in some way were caught up by it.

From Project Gutenberg

In Fergus County, Montana, they are mined from decomposed dikes of lamprophyre (a basic igneous rock).

From Project Gutenberg

They are found mostly as loose crystals in gravel, but are known also in igenous rocks like andesite and lamprophyre.

From Project Gutenberg