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phonolite

American  
[fohn-l-ahyt] / ˈfoʊn lˌaɪt /

noun

  1. a fine-grained volcanic rock composed chiefly of alkali feldspar and nepheline, some varieties of which split into pieces that ring on being struck.


phonolite British  
/ ˌfəʊnəˈlɪtɪk, ˈfəʊnəˌlaɪt /

noun

  1. a fine-grained volcanic igneous rock consisting of alkaline feldspars and nepheline

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • phonolitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of phonolite

1820–30; < French < German Phonolith. See phono-, -lite

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

XAS determination of the Fe local environment and oxidation state in phonolite glasses.

From Nature

At last we draw ourselves up a huge wedge of phonolite and find ourselves at the summit of the first peak.

From Project Gutenberg

It is formed of basalt, trachyte and phonolite, and the soil is very fertile.

From Project Gutenberg

Clinkstone or phonolite is a greenish-gray, compact, felspathic rock, somewhat slaty or schistose, and weathers with a white crust.

From Project Gutenberg

The rocks are lavas and ashes, chiefly of andesitic or basaltic composition, but rhyolites and trachytes also occur, and phonolite has been met with in one or two places.

From Project Gutenberg