di·a·base (d   -b s )n. A dark-gray to black, fine-textured igneous rock composed mainly of feldspar and pyroxene and used for monuments and as crushed stone. [French, partly from Greek diabasis, a crossing over (from diabainein, to pass through or over; see diabetes) and partly from diabase (dia-, two alteration of di-, from Greek di-; see di-1 + base, basis from Old French; see base1).] |
diabase [ˈdaɪəˌbeɪs]
n
1. (Earth Sciences / Geological Science) Brit an altered dolerite
2. (Earth Sciences / Geological Science) US another name for dolerite
[from French, from Greek diabasis a crossing over, from diabainein to cross over, from dia- + bainein to go]
diabasic adj
di•a•base (ˈdaɪ əˌbeɪs)
n.
a fine-grained gabbro occurring as minor intrusions.
[1830–40; < French, =dia- (error for di- two) + base base1]
di`a•ba′sic, adj.
| diabase (d-bs) A dark-gray to black, medium-grained igneous rock consisting mainly of labradorite and pyroxene. Diabase is compositionally similar to andesite, but has coarser grains. It is commonly found in sills and dikes. Also called dolerite. |
Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|