ophite

[of-ahyt, oh-fahyt]

noun

Petrology.

1. a diabase in which elongate crystals of plagioclase are embedded in pyroxene.

ophite

/ ˈəʊfaɪt /

noun

1. any of several greenish mottled rocks with ophitic texture, such as dolerite and diabase

Other Word Forms

• ophitic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ophite¹

1350–1400; Middle English ophites < Latin ophītēs serpentine stone < Greek ophī́tēs ( líthos ) serpentine (stone), equivalent to óph ( is ) serpent + -ī́tēs -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ophite¹

C17: from Latin ophītēs, from Greek, from ophis snake: because the mottled appearance resembles the markings of a snake

Example Sentences

By this is meant the Ophite race, who came from Egypt, and from Syria, and got footing in this island.

From Project Gutenberg

These serpents were of the same nature as the birds of Diomedes, and the dogs in the temple of Vulcan; and the histories relate to Ophite priests, who used to spare their own people and sacrifice strangers, a custom which prevailed at one time in most parts of the world.

From Project Gutenberg

What has already been said has thrown some light upon the history of this primitive idolatry, and we have shewn that wherever any of these Ophite colonies settled, they left behind from their rites and institutions, as well as from the names which they bequeathed to places, ample memorials, by which they may be clearly traced out.

From Project Gutenberg

Still there appears to be, linked beneath all, the remnant of an Ophite superstition of a different character which is shown in the general use of the serpent as a symbol of incorporeal powers, of “Manitous” or spirits.

From Project Gutenberg

And to confirm the original mutual connexion of all the serpent-worshippers throughout all the world—the Mexican paintings, as well as the Egyptian and Persian hieroglyphics, describe the Ophite Hierogram of the intertwined serpents in almost all its varieties.

From Project Gutenberg