granite
[ gran-it ]
/ ˈgræn ɪt /
noun
a coarse-grained igneous rock composed chiefly of orthoclase and albite feldspars and of quartz, usually with lesser amounts of one or more other minerals, as mica, hornblende, or augite.
anything compared to this rock in great hardness, firmness, or durability.
Origin of granite
OTHER WORDS FROM granite
gra·nit·ic [gruh-nit-ik] /grəˈnɪt ɪk/, adjective gran·ite·like, adjective pre·gra·nit·ic, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH granite
granite granitéWords nearby granite
grani,
grani-,
granicus,
granit,
granita,
granite,
granite city,
granite paper,
granite peak,
granite state,
graniteware
Definition for granite (2 of 2)
granité
[ gran-i-tey, grah-ni-; French gra-nee-tey ]
/ ˌgræn ɪˈteɪ, ˌgrɑ nɪ-; French gra niˈteɪ /
noun French Cookery.
Origin of granité
From French
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH granité
granite granitéExample sentences from the Web for granite
British Dictionary definitions for granite
granite
/ (ˈɡrænɪt) /
noun
a light-coloured coarse-grained acid plutonic igneous rock consisting of quartz, feldspars, and such ferromagnesian minerals as biotite or hornblende: widely used for building
great hardness, endurance, or resolution
another name for a stone (def. 9)
Derived forms of granite
granite-like, adjective granitic (ɡrəˈnɪtɪk) or granitoid, adjectiveWord Origin for granite
C17: from Italian
granito grained, from
granire to grain, from
grano grain, from Latin
grānum
Scientific definitions for granite
granite
[ grăn′ĭt ]
A usually light-colored, coarse-grained igneous rock consisting mostly of quartz, orthoclase feldspar, sodium-rich plagioclase feldspar, and micas. Quartz usually makes up 10 to 50 percent of the light-colored minerals in granite, with the remaining minerals consisting of the feldspars and muscovite. The darker minerals in granite are usually biotite and hornblende. Granite is one of the most common rocks in the crust of continents, and is formed by the slow, underground cooling of magma.
Cultural definitions for granite
granite
A relatively lightweight igneous rock that makes up most of the Earth's crust beneath the continents. (See basalt, plate tectonics, and tectonic plates.)