Diorite
/ˈdaɪ.əˌraɪt/noun
A coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock composed mainly of plagioclase feldspar with amphibole, biotite, or pyroxene.
Did you know?Diorite was coined in the 19th century from Greek roots meaning “to distinguish” or “to set apart,” because geologists used it to separate one rock type from another.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
diorízein
“to distinguish, divide, determine”
Ancient Greek
Greek
diá
“through, across”
Ancient Greek
Greek
horízō
“to mark off, separate, define”
19th Century
French
diorite
“a name for a distinct class of granular crystalline rock”
Modern English
English
diorite
“a coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock”