aphanite

[ af-uh-nahyt ]
/ ˈæf əˌnaɪt /

noun Petrography.

a fine-grained igneous rock having such compact texture that the constituent minerals cannot be detected with the naked eye.

Origin of aphanite

1860–65; < Greek aphan(ḗs) unseen, hidden, invisible ( a- a-6 + phanēs, adj. derivative of phaínein to bring to light, disclose) + -ite1

OTHER WORDS FROM aphanite

aph·a·nit·ic [af-uh-nit-ik] /ˌæf əˈnɪt ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby aphanite

aph., aphaeresis, aphagia, aphakia, aphalangia, aphanite, aphanitic, aphasia, aphasic, aphasiology, aphelandra

British Dictionary definitions for aphanitic

aphanite
/ (ˈæfəˌnaɪt) /

noun

any fine-grained rock, such as a basalt, containing minerals that cannot be distinguished with the naked eye

Word Origin for aphanite

C19: from Greek aphanēs invisible

Scientific definitions for aphanitic

aphanitic
[ ăf′ə-nĭt′ĭk ]

Of or relating to an igneous rock in which the crystals are so fine that individual minerals cannot be distinguished with the naked eye. Aphanitic rocks are extrusive rocks that cooled so quickly that crystal growth was inhibited. Compare phaneritic.