aphyric
|a-phy-ric|
/əˈfɪrɪk/
without phenocrysts (in igneous rock)
Etymology
'aphyric' originates from New Latin (or Modern Latin), specifically the word 'aphyricus', where the prefix 'a-' meant 'not' and 'phyric' related to having phenocrysts (ultimately from Greek elements associated with fire/igneous rock).
'aphyric' changed from the New Latin word 'aphyricus' and entered geological English usage in the 19th century, eventually becoming the modern English word 'aphyric'.
Initially, it meant 'without phenocrysts in an igneous rock', and over time it has retained that specific petrographic meaning.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
lacking phenocrysts; describing an igneous rock texture in which large crystals (phenocrysts) are absent.
The basalt was aphyric, showing a uniform fine-grained groundmass with no visible phenocrysts.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/16 13:22