schist

[shist]

noun

1. any of a class of crystalline metamorphic rocks whose constituent mineral grains have a more or less parallel or foliated arrangement.

schist

/ ʃɪˈstɒsɪtɪ, ʃɪst /

noun

1. any metamorphic rock that can be split into thin layers because its micaceous minerals have become aligned in thin parallel bands

schist

1. A highly foliated, medium-grained metamorphic rock that splits easily into flakes or slabs along well-defined planes of mica. The mineral composition of schist is varied and is often reflected in the name given to the rock. For example, a schist that contains garnet is called a garnet schist. A schist containing chlorite is called a chlorite schist.

Other Word Forms

• schistose adjective
• schistosity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of schist¹

1775–85; < New Latin schistus, Latin ( lapis ) schistos < Greek schistós divided, curdled, divisible, derivative of schízein to split, with -tos adj. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of schist¹

C18: from French schiste, from Latin lapis schistos stone that may be split, from Greek skhizein to split

Example Sentences

We are all living on the Catalina schist, which is a great name for a band.

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The river has been flowing in its course for millions of years, downcutting through layers of sandstone, limestone, granite, shale and schist to form the Grand Canyon.

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Bronze Age ceramics, the oldest pieces in the show, are shown alongside miniature paintings, silver plates and a large variety of sculptures in stucco and schist rock.

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But this one is lean and focused — it seems to speak directly from the schist vineyard soils.

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The design has been criticised for its "blocklike" structure and the of 'schist', a striped grey Norwegian slate, to cover the facade.

Read more on Reuters