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porphyry

porphyry definition

por·phyry (pôr′fə rē)

noun pl. porphyries -·ries

Historical an Egyptian rock with large feldspar crystals contained in a purplish groundmass
any igneous rock with large, distinct crystals, esp. of alkali feldspar, embedded in a fine-grained matrix

Etymology: ME porfirie < OFr porfire < ML porphyreum, altered < L porphyrites < Gr porphyritēs (lithos), lit., purple (stone) < porphyros, purple

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