SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus

ophitic

adjective
Save Word
ophit·​ic | \ ä-ˈfi-tik How to pronounce ophitic (audio) , ō- \

Definition of ophitic

: having or being a rock fabric in which lath-shaped plagioclase crystals are enclosed in later formed augite

First Known Use of ophitic

1870, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for ophitic

ophite "rock with snake-like markings, serpentine" (borrowed from Latin ophītēs, borrowed from Greek ophī́tēs [líthos] "snake-like [stone]," from óphis "snake" + -itēs -ite entry 1) + -ic entry 1 — more at ophidian

Learn More About ophitic

Time Traveler for ophitic

Time Traveler

The first known use of ophitic was in 1870

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near ophitic

ophite

ophitic

Ophiuchus

See More Nearby Entries 

Statistics for ophitic

Cite this Entry

“Ophitic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ophitic. Accessed 8 Aug. 2022.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

WORD OF THE DAY

crepuscular

Listen to the pronunciation of crepuscular

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Odd Habits and Quirks

  • image1926873504
  • Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games