plutonism

[ploot-n-iz-uh m]

noun Geology.

the intrusion of magma and associated deep-seated processes within the earth's crust.

(often initial capital letter) the disproven theory that all rocks formed by solidification of a molten mass, promulgated by Scottish geologist James Hutton (1726–97).

Origin of plutonism

First recorded in 1840–50; pluton(ic) + -ism

Related formsplu·to·nist, noun