andesite

noun

an·​des·​ite ˈan-di-ˌzīt How to pronounce andesite (audio)
: an extrusive usually dark grayish rock consisting essentially of oligoclase or feldspar
andesitic adjective

Examples of andesite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web What looked like a sacrificial table of white sandstone, surrounded by andesite blocks, prompted Quisbert to speak of capacocha, an Inca ritual in which children of both sexes were selected for sacrifice. Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023 The andesite magma from El Chichón has about 2.6 weight percent SO3, many times more than most magmas. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2012 The pre-1980 cone, which took shape in just the past 2,500 years, consisted in part of mountain-building andesite rocks. Steve Olson, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2017 The main cone is made of andesite, dacite, and rhyodacite. Jennifer Earl, Fox News, 16 May 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'andesite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

German Andesit, from Andes

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of andesite was in 1837

Dictionary Entries Near andesite

Cite this Entry

“Andesite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/andesite. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

andesite

noun
an·​des·​ite ˈan-di-zīt How to pronounce andesite (audio)
: a usually dark grayish rock of feldspar that is formed from lava
andesitic adjective

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