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.

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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.

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The first inhabitants of Europe are said to have been the offspring of a woman, partly of the human and partly of the dracontic figure, a tradition which alludes to their Ophite origin.

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His priests in accommodation with the general custom of the Ophite god, were called after him “Adders.”

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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.

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