magma Hear it!

magma definition

magma (mag′mə)

noun

  1. a pasty mixture of crude mineral or organic matter
  2. liquid or molten rock deep in the earth, which on cooling solidifies to produce igneous rock
  3. Pharmacy a suspension of precipitated matter in a watery substance

Etymology: L, the dregs of an unguent < Gr < massein, to knead < IE base *menk-, to knead, crush > mingle

Related Forms:

  • magmatic mag·mat′ic (-mat′ik) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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