phanerocrystalline
[fan-uh-roh-kris-tl-in, -ahyn]
- (of a rock) having the principal constituents in the form of crystals visible to the naked eye.
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Also phan·er·it·ic [fan-uh-rit-ik] /ˌfæn əˈrɪt ɪk/.
Origin of phanerocrystalline
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
phanerocrystalline
- (of igneous and metamorphic rocks) having a crystalline structure in which the crystals are large enough to be seen with the naked eye
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Word Origin
C19: from Greek phaneros visible + crystalline
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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phaneritic
[făn′ə-rĭt′ĭk]
- Of or relating to an igneous rock in which the crystals are so coarse that individual minerals can be distinguished with the naked eye. Phaneritic rocks are intrusive rocks that cooled slowly enough to allow significant crystal growth. Compare aphanitic.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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