hornfels

[ hawrn-felz ]
/ ˈhɔrn fɛlz /

noun

a dark, fine-grained metamorphic rock, the result of recrystallization of siliceous or argillaceous sediments by contact metamorphism.

Origin of hornfels

1850–55; < German, equivalent to Horn horn + Fels rock, cliff

Example sentences from the Web for hornfels

British Dictionary definitions for hornfels

hornfels
/ (ˈhɔːnfɛlz) /

noun

a hard compact fine-grained metamorphic rock formed by the action of heat from a magmatic intrusion on neighbouring sedimentary rocks Also called: hornstone

Word Origin for hornfels

German: literally, horn rock

Scientific definitions for hornfels

hornfels
[ hôrnfĕlz′ ]

A fine-grained metamorphic rock having a uniform grain size and formed by contact metamorphism.