porphyry

Definition of Porphyry in English :

1. porphyritic rock, porphyry

any igneous rock with crystals embedded in a finer groundmass of minerals

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.

Porphyry

noun plural -ries

1.

any igneous rock with large crystals embedded in a finer groundmass of minerals

2. obsolete

a reddish-purple rock consisting of large crystals of feldspar in a finer groundmass of feldspar, hornblende, etc

noun

original name Malchus. 232–305 ad, Greek Neo-Platonist philosopher, born in Syria; disciple and biographer of Plotinus

nounWord forms: plural ˈporphyries

1. Obsolete

an Egyptian rock with large feldspar crystals contained in a purplish groundmass

2.

any igneous rock with large, distinct crystals, esp. of alkali feldspar, embedded in a fine-grained matrix

n. pl. por·phy·ries

1. Any of various varieties of reddish-purple rock, often containing light-colored crystals, used as a decorative stone.

2. Geology Rock containing relatively large conspicuous crystals, especially of feldspar, in a fine-grained igneous matrix.