gneiss Definition
gneiss (nīs)
noun
a coarsegrained, metamorphic rock resembling granite, consisting of alternating layers of different minerals, such as feldspar, quartz, mica, and hornblende, and having a banded appearance
Etymology: Ger gneis < OHG gneisto, a spark, akin to ON gneisti, OE gnast: from the luster of certain of the components
gneiss Related Forms
gneiss′ic adjective
gneiss′·oid adjective
gneiss Usage Examples
Adjective modifier
- granitic: The substrata are mostly sandstone of various formation, and granitic gneiss, of which the rocks are mainly composed.
- black: The church's main point of interest are the three tombs carved in black gneiss depicting knights in armor.
Modifies a noun
region: Exhumation of UHP rocks by transtension in the western Gneiss Region, Scandinavian Caledonides.
Noun used with modifier
- granite: Natural soils have developed from a parent material consisting of glacial till derived from granite and granite gneiss.
- feldspar: The anorthosite and garnet - pyroxene - feldspar gneisses are intimately related and the complex was probably originally layered.
- hornblende: The hornblende gneiss is dark in color and occurs as pods and bands within the lighter colored gneiss.
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