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granite

Granite Gran"ite (gr[a^]n"[i^]t), n. [It. granito granite, adj., grainy, p. p. of granire to make grainy, fr. L. granum grain; cf. F. granit. See Grain.] (Geol.) A crystalline, granular rock, consisting of quartz, feldspar, and mica, and usually of a whitish, grayish, or flesh-red color. It differs from gneiss in not having the mica in planes, and therefore in being destitute of a schistose structure. [1913 Webster]

Note: Varieties containing hornblende are common. See also the Note under Mica. [1913 Webster]

{Gneissoid granite}, granite in which the mica has traces of a regular arrangement.

{Graphic granite}, granite consisting of quartz and feldspar without mica, and having the quartz crystals so arranged in the transverse section like oriental characters.

{Porphyritic granite}, granite containing feldspar in distinct crystals.

{Hornblende granite}, or

{Syenitic granite}, granite containing hornblende as well as mica, or, according to some authorities hornblende replacing the mica.

{Granite ware}. (a) A kind of stoneware. (b) A Kind of ironware, coated with an enamel resembling granite. [1913 Webster]