Porphyritic
/ˌpɔːr.fəˈrɪt.ɪk/noun
Describing an igneous rock texture with large crystals embedded in a finer-grained groundmass.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Greek porphyra, the legendary purple dye of power, so a geology term is hiding an ancient symbol of luxury, authority, and blood-red-purple prestige.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
porphyra
“purple dye or purple color”
Late Latin
Latin
porphyrites
“porphyry; a purple-colored stone”
Medieval Latin
Latin
porphyriticus
“of porphyry; having a porphyry-like texture”
19th Century
English
porphyritic
“describing rock with conspicuous crystals set in a finer matrix”
Modern English
English
porphyritic
“having a porphyritic texture”