magma

mag·ma

noun \ˈmag-mə\

Definition of MAGMA

1

archaic : dregs, sediment

2

: a thin pasty suspension (as of a precipitate in water)

3

: molten rock material within the earth from which igneous rock results by cooling

— mag·mat·ic \mag-ˈma-tik\ adjective

Origin of MAGMA

Middle English, from Latin magmat-, magma, from Greek, thick unguent, from massein to knead — more at mingle

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

mag·ma

noun \ˈmag-mə\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of MAGMA

1

: a crude mixture of mineral or organic matter in the state of a thin paste

2

: a suspension of a large amount of precipitated material (as in milk of magnesia) in a small volume of a watery vehicle

magma

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Molten or partially molten rock from which igneous rocks form, usually consisting of silicate liquid. Magma migrates either at depth or to the Earth's surface, where it is ejected as lava. The interactions of several physical properties, including chemical composition, viscosity, content of dissolved gases, and temperature, determine the characteristics of magma. Numerous events that can occur during crystallization influence the resulting rock: separation of early crystals from liquid prevents reaction between them; magma can cool too rapidly for reaction to occur; and loss of volatiles may remove some components from the magma.