dolerite
[ dol-uh-rahyt ]
/ ˈdɒl əˌraɪt /
noun Petrology.
a coarse-grained variety of basalt.
any of various other igneous rocks, as diabase.
any basaltlike igneous rock whose composition can be determined only by microscopic examination.
Origin of dolerite
1830–40; < French
dolérite < Greek
doler(ós) deceitful (derivative of
dólos wile) + French
-ite
-ite1
OTHER WORDS FROM dolerite
dol·er·it·ic [dol-uh-rit-ik] /ˌdɒl əˈrɪt ɪk/, adjectiveWords nearby dolerite
dole,
dole bludger,
dole cupboard,
doleful,
dolente,
dolerite,
dolesome,
dolgellau,
dolicho-,
dolichocephalic,
dolichocranic
Example sentences from the Web for dolerite
British Dictionary definitions for dolerite
dolerite
/ (ˈdɒləˌraɪt) /
noun
a dark basic intrusive igneous rock consisting of plagioclase feldspar and a pyroxene, such as augite; often emplaced in dykes
any dark igneous rock whose composition cannot be determined with the naked eye
Derived forms of dolerite
doleritic (ˌdɒləˈrɪtɪk), adjectiveWord Origin for dolerite
C19: from French
dolérite, from Greek
doleros deceitful; so called because of the difficulty of determining its composition
Scientific definitions for dolerite
dolerite
[ dŏl′ə-rīt′ ]
See diabase.