igneous
English
Etymology
From Latin igneus (“fiery”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈɪɡ.ni.əs/
Audio (RP) (file)
Adjective
igneous (not comparable)
- Pertaining to or having the nature of fire; containing fire; resembling fire.
- The stone had an igneous appearance.
- (geology) Resulting from, or produced by, great heat. With rocks, it could also mean formed from lava or magma.
- Granite and basalt are igneous rocks.
- 1835, Charles Lyell, chapter V, in Principles of Geology […] , volume III, 4th edition, London: John Murray, Book IV, page 385:
- All formations, whether igneous or aqueous, which can be shown by any such proofs to be of a date posterior to the introduction of man, will be called Recent.
Derived terms
- igneously
- igneousness
- igneous rock
Translations
pertaining to, having the nature of fire
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resulting from, or produced by, the action of great heat
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Further reading
igneous rock on Wikipedia.Wikipedia