porphyry

por·phy·ry

noun \ˈpȯr-f(ə-)rē\

plural por·phy·ries

Definition of PORPHYRY

1

: a rock consisting of feldspar crystals embedded in a compact dark red or purple groundmass

2

: an igneous rock of porphyritic texture

Origin of PORPHYRY

Middle English porphiri, from Medieval Latin porphyrium, alteration of Latin porphyrites, from Greek porphyritēs (lithos), literally, stone like Tyrian purple, from porphyra purple

First Known Use: 15th century

Rhymes with PORPHYRY

orphrey