porphyritic

adjective por·phy·rit·ic \ˌpȯr-fə-ˈri-tik\

Definition of PORPHYRITIC

: of or relating to porphyry

: having distinct crystals (as of feldspar) in a relatively fine-grained base

Middle English porphiritike, from Medieval Latin porphyriticus, from Greek porphyritikos, from porphyritēs (lithos) porphyry

First Known Use: 15th century

Next Word in the Dictionary: porphyroblastPrevious Word in the Dictionary: porphyriteAll Words Near: porphyritic

What made you want to look up porphyritic? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears