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metasomatism Definition

meta·so·ma·tism (-sō′mə tiz′əm)

noun

the metamorphic process by which minerals of a rock or ore body are replaced by minerals of a different chemical composition as a result of the action of a fluid, esp. of moving water

Etymology: meta- + somat(o)- + -ism

Related Forms:

  • metasomatic met′a·so·mat′ic (-sō mat′ik) adjective