Gneiss Definition

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.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Gneiss

Noun

Singular:
gneiss
Plural:
gneisses

Origin of Gneiss

  • German Gneis probably alteration of Middle High German ganeist spark (from its appearance) from Old High German gneista

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From German Gneis, from Middle High German gneist (“spark”), from Old High German gneisto (“spark”). More at gnast.

    From Wiktionary

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