nephelinite

noun

neph·​e·​lin·​ite ˈne-fə-lə-ˌnīt How to pronounce nephelinite (audio)
: a silica-deficient igneous rock having nepheline as the predominant mineral
nephelinitic adjective

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

circa 1863, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nephelinite was circa 1863

Dictionary Entries Near nephelinite

Cite this Entry

“Nephelinite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nephelinite. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on nephelinite

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!