outcrop

American  

[out-krop, out-krop] / ˈaʊtˌkrɒp, ˌaʊtˈkrɒp /

noun

1. Geology.

   1. a cropping out, as of a stratum or vein at the surface of the earth.

   2. the exposed portion of such a stratum or vein.

2. something that emerges suddenly or violently in the manner of an outcrop; outbreak.

   an outcrop of student demonstrations.

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verb (used without object)

outcropped, outcropping

1. to crop out, as strata.

outcrop British  

noun

1. part of a rock formation or mineral vein that appears at the surface of the earth

2. an emergence; appearance

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verb

1. (of rock strata, mineral veins, etc) to protrude through the surface of the earth

2. another word for crop out

outcrop Scientific  

/ out′krŏp′ /

1. An area of visible bedrock that is not covered with soil.

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Etymology

Origin of outcrop

First recorded in 1760–70; noun use of verb phrase crop out

Example Sentences

Rattlesnakes like to hide in complex rocky outcrops, tall grass and squirrel burrows.

From Los Angeles Times

The company is now training modern exploration techniques on outcroppings of a 1.8-billion-year-old type of metamorphic rock called Pinto gneiss.

From Los Angeles Times

Somehow, creaky tiled houses have been wedged here between enormous outcroppings of glacial boulders.

From The Wall Street Journal

Kharg Island is a small coral outcrop in the Persian Gulf, roughly 15 miles off the Iranian coast.

From Barron's

Kharg Island is a small coral outcrop in the Persian Gulf, roughly 15 miles off the Iranian coast.

From Barron's

Related Words

• offshoot