igneous

From Latin igneus (“fiery”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈɪɡ.ni.əs/

• Audio (RP)

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igneous (not comparable)

1. Pertaining to or having the nature of fire; containing fire; resembling fire.

   The stone had an igneous appearance.

2. (geology) Resulting from, or produced by, great heat. With rocks, it could also mean formed from lava or magma.

   Granite and basalt are igneous rocks.

   • 1835, Charles Lyell, chapter V, in Principles of Geology […] , volume III, 4th edition, London: John Murray, Book IV, page 385:

     All formations, whether igneous or aqueous, which can be shown by any such proofs to be of a date posterior to the introduction of man, will be called Recent.

• igneous rock on Wikipedia.Wikipedia