Porphyry

['pɔːfɪrɪ] or ['pɔrfəri]

Definition

(noun.) any igneous rock with crystals embedded in a finer groundmass of minerals.

Checked by Danny--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) A term used somewhat loosely to designate a rock consisting of a fine-grained base (usually feldspathic) through which crystals, as of feldspar or quartz, are disseminated. There are red, purple, and green varieties, which are highly esteemed as marbles.

Checker: Mollie

Definition

n. a very hard variegated rock of a purple and white colour used in sculpture (porfido rosso antico): an igneous rock having a ground-mass enclosing crystals of feldspar or quartz.—v.t. Por′phyrise to cause to resemble porphyry: to make of a spotted appearance.—n. Por′phyrite one of the crystalline igneous rocks which consists principally of plagioclase.—adjs. Porphyrit′ic Porphyrā′ceous resembling or consisting of porphyry.—n. Por′phyroid a crystalline and schistose rock containing porphyritic crystals of feldspar.

Edited by Christine