diabase
Syllabification: (di·a·base)
Pronunciation: /ˈdīəˌbās/
Definition of diabase
noun
Geology- another term for dolerite.
Origin:
mid 19th century (originally denoting diorite): from French, formed irregularly as if from di- 'two' + base 'base' (thus 'rock with two bases', referring to the base minerals of diorite), but associated later perhaps with Greek diabasis 'transition'