migmatite

Definitions

noun A rock of both metamorphic and igneous origin that exhibits characteristics of both rock types and probably forms through the heating but not melting of rocks in the presence of abundant fluids.

noun geology Any rock of mixed appearance, being an intimate mixture of granite and older rock, specifically from intense metamorphism which partially melts the rock, causing it to recrystallize in a state intermediate between igneous and metamorphic.

[Greek migma, migmat-, mixture (from mignunai, to mix; see meik- in Indo-European roots) + –ite.]

From Swedish migmatit, from Ancient Greek μίγμα ("mixture") + Swedish -it ("-ite").

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word migmatite.

Dave said it was a migmatite granite at a transitional stage between metamorphic and igneous, formed when the deep rock was the consistency of toothpaste, which caused the swirling, sinuous banded effect.

Bird Cloud Annie Proulx 2011
Dave said it was a migmatite granite at a transitional stage between metamorphic and igneous, formed when the deep rock was the consistency of toothpaste, which caused the swirling, sinuous banded effect.

Bird Cloud Annie Proulx 2011
Dave said it was a migmatite granite at a transitional stage between metamorphic and igneous, formed when the deep rock was the consistency of toothpaste, which caused the swirling, sinuous banded effect.

Bird Cloud Annie Proulx 2011
Dave said it was a migmatite granite at a transitional stage between metamorphic and igneous, formed when the deep rock was the consistency of toothpaste, which caused the swirling, sinuous banded effect.

Bird Cloud Annie Proulx 2011