Main Entry: por·phy·ry

Pronunciation: \ˈpȯr-f(ə-)rē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural por·phy·ries

Etymology: Middle English porphiri, from Medieval Latin porphyrium, alteration of Latin porphyrites, from Greek porphyritēs (lithos), literally, stone like Tyrian purple, from porphyra purple

Date: 15th century

1 : a rock consisting of feldspar crystals embedded in a compact dark red or purple groundmass
2 : an igneous rock of porphyritic texture