mylonite

[ mahy-luh-nahyt, mil-uh- ]
/ ˈmaɪ ləˌnaɪt, ˈmɪl ə- /

noun

Geology. a rock that has been crushed and sheared to such an extent that its original texture has been destroyed.

Origin of mylonite

1885–90; mylon- (representing Greek mýlos mill) + -ite1

Words nearby mylonite

British Dictionary definitions for mylonite

mylonite
/ (ˈmaɪləˌnaɪt, ˈmɪlə-) /

noun

a fine-grained metamorphic rock, often showing banding and micaceous fracture, formed by the crushing, grinding, or rolling of the original structure

Word Origin for mylonite

C19: from Greek mulōn mill

Scientific definitions for mylonite

mylonite
[ mīlə-nīt′ ]

A fine-grained laminated metamorphic rock in which preexisting minerals have been partially pulverized and drawn out into bands. Mylonite forms along geologic faults where shearing and grinding of rocks takes place.