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melaphyre

noun
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mel·​a·​phyre | \ ˈmeləˌfī(ə)r \
plural -s

Definition of melaphyre

1 : a porphyritic rock consisting of phenocrysts of feldspar in a dark groundmass broadly : a porphyritic igneous rock with dark-colored aphanitic groundmass and phenocrysts of various kinds
2 : a Mesozoic basalt

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History and Etymology for melaphyre

French mélaphyre, from méla- mela- + -phyre

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Cite this Entry

“Melaphyre.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melaphyre. Accessed 24 January 2020.

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