xenocryst

[ zen-uh-krist, zee-nuh- ]
/ ˈzɛn ə krɪst, ˈzi nə- /

noun Mineralogy.

a rock or crystal engulfed by magma and retained as an inclusion in the resulting igneous rock.

Origin of xenocryst

OTHER WORDS FROM xenocryst

xen·o·crys·tic, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for xenocryst

xenocryst
/ (ˈzɛnəˌkrɪst) /

noun

a crystal included within an igneous rock as the magma cooled but not formed from it

Word Origin for xenocryst

C20: from xeno- + cryst ( al)

Scientific definitions for xenocryst

xenocryst
[ zĕnə-krĭst′, zēnə- ]

A crystal foreign to the igneous rock in which it occurs. Xenocrysts usually form during metamorphism. Compare xenolith.