syenite

American  

[sahy-uh-nahyt] / ˈsaɪ əˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a granular igneous rock consisting chiefly of orthoclase and oligoclase with hornblende, biotite, or augite.

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syenite British  

/ ˈsaɪəˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a light-coloured coarse-grained plutonic igneous rock consisting of feldspars with hornblende or biotite

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syenite Scientific  

/ sī′ə-nīt′ /

1. A light-colored, coarse-grained igneous rock consisting primarily of alkali feldspar together with some mafic minerals, especially hornblende. Unlike most igneous rocks, syenite has little or no quartz. It is believed to form from the cooling of magma that forms at very high temperatures and at great depths. It is the coarse-grained equivalent of trachyte.

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Other Word Forms

• syenitic
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of syenite

First recorded in 1790–1800; from Latin syēnītēs (lapis) “(stone) of Syene” (the ancient name of Aswan, an Egyptian city on the Nile), from Greek syēnī́tēs (líthos); see -ite ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

syenite

Rocks labeled as ‘granite’ in laymen applications can be several other rocks, including syenite, tonalite, and monzonite.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2017

Most of these tracks end behind large boulders of dolostone or syenite, some however start and end without an apparent object nearby.

From Scientific American ● Jul. 22, 2013

Great masses of granite, syenite and diorite were intruded at this period, and send tongues even into the andesitic tuffs.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 5 "Arculf" to "Armour, Philip" by Various

It occurs in regions of granite, porphyry and syenite, and usually occupies funnel-shaped cavities of no great superficial area, but of considerable depth.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 "Cincinnatus" to "Cleruchy" by Various

Mr. Jefferson says that it is of syenite, and measures in feet twelve by nine by five and a half, but it is deep in the sand.

From Climbing in The British Isles. Vol. 1 - England by W. P. Haskett Smith

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