tachylyte

or tach·y·lite

[ tak-uh-lahyt ]

noun

, Petrography.

1. a black, glassy form of basalt, readily fusible and of a high luster.

tachylyte

/ ˈtækɪˌlaɪt; ˌtækɪˈlɪtɪk /

noun

1. a black basaltic glass often found on the edges of intrusions of basalt

Derived Forms

• tachylytic, adjective

Other Words From

• tach·y·lit·ic [tak-, uh, -, lit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tachylyte¹

First recorded in 1865–70; tachy- + -lyte ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of tachylyte¹

C19: from German Tachylit, from tachy- + Greek lutos soluble, melting, from luein to release; so called because it fuses easily when heated. The form tachylite is influenced by -lite stone