variolite

American

[vair-ee-uh-lahyt, var-] / ˈvɛər i əˌlaɪt, ˈvær- /

noun

Petrology.

a rock embedded with varioles; a variolitic rock.

variolite British

/ ˈvɛərɪəˌlaɪt, ˌvɛərɪəˈlɪtɪk /

noun

any basic igneous rock containing rounded bodies (varioles) consisting of radiating crystal fibres

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

variolitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of variolite

First recorded in 1780–85; probably from New Latin variolītēs, from Medieval Latin variola variola ( def. ) + -ītēs noun suffix; -ite ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Variolit′ic, pertaining to variolite; Vā′rioloid, resembling smallpox: resembling measles.—n. modified smallpox.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Little Crau, the mouth of the Durance, are found prodigious numbers of green and crystalline rocks, granite and variolite brought down from the Alps of Briançon, but nine-tenths of the pebbles of the Great Crau are white quartz brought from the great chain of the Alps, together with mica-slate and calcareous stones, and only a few of the variolites of Mont Genèvre.

From Project Gutenberg

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