obsidian
[ uh b-sid-ee-uh n ]
/ əbˈsɪd i ən /
noun
a volcanic glass similar in composition to granite, usually dark but transparent in thin pieces, and having a good conchoidal fracture.
Origin of obsidian
1350–1400; < Latin
Obsidiānus, printer's error for
Obsiānus pertaining to
Obsius, the discoverer (according to Pliny) of a similar mineral in Ethiopia; replacing Middle English
obsianus < Latin; see
-an
Words nearby obsidian
Example sentences from the Web for obsidian
British Dictionary definitions for obsidian
obsidian
/ (ɒbˈsɪdɪən) /
noun
a dark volcanic glass formed by very rapid solidification of lava
Also called: Iceland agate
Word Origin for obsidian
C17: from Latin
obsidiānus, erroneous transcription of
obsiānus (
lapis) (stone of)
Obsius, the name (in Pliny) of the discoverer of a stone resembling obsidian
Scientific definitions for obsidian
obsidian
[ ŏb-sĭd′ē-ən ]
A shiny, usually black, volcanic glass. Obsidian forms above ground from lava that is similar in composition to the magma from which granite forms underground, but cools so quickly that minerals do not have a chance to form within it.