xenolith

[ zen-l-ith ]
/ ˈzɛn l ɪθ /

noun Petrography.

a rock fragment foreign to the igneous rock in which it is embedded.
Also called inclusion.

Origin of xenolith

First recorded in 1900–05; xeno- + -lith

OTHER WORDS FROM xenolith

xen·o·lith·ic, adjective

Words nearby xenolith

xenogeneic, xenogenesis, xenogenic, xenoglossia, xenograft, xenolith, xenomorphic, xenon, xenon arc, xenon hexafluoride, xenon tetrafluoride

British Dictionary definitions for xenolith

xenolith
/ (ˈzɛnəlɪθ) /

noun

a fragment of rock differing in origin, composition, structure, etc, from the igneous rock enclosing it

Derived forms of xenolith

xenolithic, adjective

Scientific definitions for xenolith

xenolith
[ zĕn′ə-lĭth′, zē′nə- ]

A rock fragment foreign to the igneous mass in which it occurs. Xenoliths usually become incorporated into a cooling magma body when pieces of the rock into which the magma was injected break off and fall into it. Compare xenocryst.