phanerocrystalline

[ fan-uh-roh-kris-tl-in, -ahyn ]

adjective

, Petrography.

1. (of a rock) having the principal constituents in the form of crystals visible to the naked eye.

phanerocrystalline

/ -ˌlaɪn; ˌfænərəʊˈkrɪstəlɪn /

adjective

1. (of igneous and metamorphic rocks) having a crystalline structure in which the crystals are large enough to be seen with the naked eye

Word History and Origins

Origin of phanerocrystalline¹

1860–65; < Greek phaneró ( s ) visible, manifest + crystalline

Word History and Origins

Origin of phanerocrystalline¹

C19: from Greek phaneros visible + crystalline