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basalt

noun ba·salt \bə-ˈsȯlt, ˈbā-ˌ\

: a type of dark gray to black rock

Full Definition of BASALT

:  a dark gray to black dense to fine-grained igneous rock that consists of basic plagioclase, augite, and usually magnetite
— ba·sal·tic \bə-ˈsȯl-tik\ adjective
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Origin of BASALT

Latin basaltes, manuscript variant of basanites touchstone, from Greek basanitēs (lithos), from basanos touchstone, from Egyptian bḫnw
First Known Use: 1601

Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

Rhymes with BASALT

asphalt, assault, Chennault, cobalt, cross vault, default, desalt, exalt, fan vault, foot fault, gestalt, no-fault, pole vault, rock salt, Schwarzwald, stringhalt

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7 ENTRIES FOUND:
  1. basalt
  2. basalt dome
  3. basalt glass
  4. basalt-porphyry
  5. analcime basalt
  6. anorthite-basalt
  7. plateau-basalt
Next Word in the Dictionary: basalt domePrevious Word in the Dictionary: basal rotAll Words Near: basalt
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