mafic
English
editEtymology
editPronunciation
editAdjective
editmafic (comparative more mafic, superlative most mafic)
- (geology) Describing rocks, such as silicate minerals, magmas, and volcanic and intrusive igneous rocks, which contain relatively high concentrations of magnesium and iron.
- Synonyms: ferromagnesic, basic
- Antonyms: felsic, acidic
- 2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society, published 2011, page 60:
- As a whole, rocks of this type are referred to as mafic, because of the importance of magnesium and iron in their composition.
Derived terms
editTranslations
editdescribing rocks, such as silicate minerals, magmas, and volcanic and intrusive igneous rocks, which contain relatively high concentrations of magnesium and iron
Noun
editmafic (plural mafics)
- A rock with such properties.