laccolith

[ lak-uh-lith ]
/ ˈlæk ə lɪθ /

noun Geology.

a mass of igneous rock formed from magma that did not find its way to the surface but spread laterally into a lenticular body, forcing overlying strata to bulge upward.
Also lac·co·lite [lak-uh-lahyt] /ˈlæk əˌlaɪt/.

Origin of laccolith

1875–80; < Greek lákko(s) pond + -lith

OTHER WORDS FROM laccolith

lac·co·lith·ic, lac·co·lit·ic [lak-uh-lit-ik] /ˌlæk əˈlɪt ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby laccolith

lac, lac insect, lacan, laccadive islands, laccadive, minicoy, and amindivi islands, laccolith, lace, lace bug, lace glass, lace into, lace pillow

British Dictionary definitions for laccolith

laccolith

laccolite (ˈlækəˌlaɪt)

/ (ˈlækəlɪθ) /

noun

a dome-shaped body of igneous rock between two layers of older sedimentary rock: formed by the intrusion of magma, forcing the overlying strata into the shape of a dome See lopolith

Derived forms of laccolith

laccolithic or laccolitic (ˌlækəˈlɪtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for laccolith

C19: from Greek lakkos cistern + -lith

Scientific definitions for laccolith

laccolith
[ lăk′ə-lĭth′ ]

A body of igneous rock intruded between layers of sedimentary rock, resulting in uplift. Laccoliths are usually plano-convex in cross-section, having a flat bottom and a convex top, and are roughly circular in plan. They are usually connected to a dike and are typically up to 8 km (5 mi) in diameter and tens to hundreds of meters thick. See illustration at batholith.