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phenocryst

Syllabification: (phe·no·cryst)
Pronunciation: /ˈfēnəˌkrist/
Definition of phenocryst

noun

Geology
  • a large or conspicuous crystal in a porphyritic rock, distinct from the groundmass.

Origin:

late 19th century: from French phénocryste, from Greek phainein 'to show' + krustallos 'crystal'

phenocryst in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of phenocryst in the British & World English dictionary

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