tephrite

[tef-rahyt]

noun

Petrography.

1. a basaltic rock consisting essentially of pyroxene and plagioclase with nepheline or leucite.

tephrite

/ ˈtɛfraɪt, tɪˈfrɪtɪk /

noun

1. a variety of basalt containing plagioclase, augite, and a feldspathoid, commonly nepheline, or leucite

Other Word Forms

• tephritic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tephrite¹

1875–80; < Greek tephr ( ós ) ash-colored + -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tephrite¹

C17: from Greek tephros, from tephra ashes; see _-ite ¹

Example Sentences

Tephrite, tef′rīt, n. a name applied to certain modern volcanic rocks.—adj.

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Teph′ritoid, a variety of tephrite; Tephi′roite, a reddish silicate of manganese.

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