BASALT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does basalt mean? 

• BASALT (noun)
  The noun BASALT has 1 sense:

1. the commonest type of solidified lava; a dense dark grey fine-grained igneous rock that is composed chiefly of plagioclase feldspar and pyroxene

  Familiarity information: BASALT used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BASALT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The commonest type of solidified lava; a dense dark grey fine-grained igneous rock that is composed chiefly of plagioclase feldspar and pyroxene

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("basalt" is a kind of...):

volcanic rock (extrusive igneous rock solidified near or on the surface of the Earth)

Meronyms (substance of "basalt"):

pyroxene (any of a group of crystalline silicate mineral common in igneous and metamorphic rocks)

oligoclase; plagioclase (any of a series of triclinic feldspars that form rocks)

Derivation:

basaltic (of or relating to or containing basalt)

 Context examples 

When we were able to stagger to our feet we saw far off in the deep blue sky one dark spot where the lump of basalt was speeding upon its way.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Montmorillonite forms when basalt is altered under wet and slightly acidic conditions.

(Aluminum-Bearing Site on Mars Draws NASA Visitor, NASA)

He brought out a lump of basalt of a considerable size, constructed in the middle so that a cord could be easily attached to it.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

They were all on the one stratum, hollowed out of some soft rock which lay between the volcanic basalt forming the ruddy cliffs above them, and the hard granite which formed their base.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A council was now held by the whole tribe squatting in a circle, whilst we sat near on a slab of basalt and watched their proceedings.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Clustering behind him we saw in the yellow field of light a wall of broken basalt which extended to the ceiling.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

There the basalt cliffs of the outside were reproduced upon the inside, forming an escarpment about two hundred feet high, with a woody slope beneath it.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Then the lump of basalt was fastened to the thongs, and the rope was allowed to hang from the end of it, being passed three times round the Professor's arm.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)