tektite

tek·tite

noun \ˈtek-ˌtīt\

Definition of TEKTITE

: a glassy body of probably meteoritic origin and of rounded but indefinite shape

— tek·tit·ic \tek-ˈti-tik\ adjective

Origin of TEKTITE

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek tēktos molten, from tēkein to melt — more at thaw

First Known Use: 1909

tektite

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of a class of small, natural glassy objects found on the Earth's surface and associated with meteorite impacts. The extremely high temperatures and enormous pressures generated when a large meteorite, comet, or asteroid hits the Earth melt the rocks at the site, producing masses of molten droplets that are blasted into and out of the Earth's atmosphere. The droplets cool quickly to a glassy form and then fall back to the Earth.