diabase

noun

di·​a·​base ˈdī-ə-ˌbās How to pronounce diabase (audio)
1
archaic : diorite
2
chiefly British : an altered basalt
3
: a fine-grained rock of the composition of gabbro but with an ophitic texture
diabasic adjective

Examples of diabase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web It’s made of diabase traprock, which contains iron that causes the cliffs to look lumpen and rusty in the wrong light, precise and resplendent in the right one. Christian Wiman, Harper's magazine, 20 Jan. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diabase.' 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

French, probably from Greek diabasis act of crossing over, from diabainein to cross over, from dia- + bainein to go — more at come

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of diabase was in 1811

Dictionary Entries Near diabase

Cite this Entry

“Diabase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diabase. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

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