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gneiss

Pronunciation: /nʌɪs/

Definition of gneiss

noun

[mass noun]
  • a metamorphic rock with a banded or foliated structure, typically coarse-grained and consisting mainly of feldspar, quartz, and mica.

Derivatives

gneissic

adjective

gneissose

adjective

Origin:

mid 18th century: from German, from Old High German gneisto 'spark' (because of the rock's sheen)

gneiss in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of gneiss in the US English dictionary

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