Definitions for Obsidian
əbˈsɪd i ənob·sid·i·an

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. obsidiannoun

   acid or granitic glass formed by the rapid cooling of lava without crystallization; usually dark, but transparent in thin pieces

WiktionaryRate this definition:1.0 / 2 votes

1. obsidiannoun

   a type of black glass produced by volcanos

2. obsidianadjective

   black

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Obsidian

   Obsidian () is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed when lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimal crystal growth. It is an igneous rock.Obsidian is produced from felsic lava, rich in the lighter elements such as silicon, oxygen, aluminium, sodium, and potassium. It is commonly found within the margins of rhyolitic lava flows known as obsidian flows. These flows have a high content of silica, granting them a high viscosity. The high viscosity inhibits diffusion of atoms through the lava, which inhibits the first step (nucleation) in the formation of mineral crystals. Together with rapid cooling, this results in a natural glass forming from the lava.Obsidian is hard, brittle, and amorphous; it therefore fractures with sharp edges. In the past, it was used to manufacture cutting and piercing tools, and it has been used experimentally as surgical scalpel blades.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. obsidian

   Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass that forms when felsic lava, which is high in silica, cools rapidly and solidifies without crystal growth. It is characterized by its dark, shiny appearance and is typically black, although it can be other colors depending on impurities present. It has been used historically for various purposes, such as tools and art, due to its sharpness when fractured.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Obsidiannoun

   a kind of glass produced by volcanoes. It is usually of a black color, and opaque, except in thin splinters

2. Etymology: [L. Obsidianus lapis, so named, according to Pliny, after one Obsidius, who discovered it in Ethiopia: cf. F. obsidiane, obsidienne. The later editions of Pliny read Obsianus lapis, and Obsius, instead of Obsidianus lapis, and Obsidius.]

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Obsidian

   Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock. It is produced when felsic lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimum crystal growth. Obsidian is commonly found within the margins of rhyolitic lava flows known as obsidian flows, where the chemical composition induces a high viscosity and polymerization degree of the lava. The inhibition of atomic diffusion through this highly viscous and polymerized lava explains the lack of crystal growth. Obsidian is hard and brittle; it therefore fractures with very sharp edges, which had been used in the past in cutting and piercing tools, and has been used experimentally as surgical scalpel blades.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Obsidian

   ob-sid′i-an, n. a natural glass—the vitreous condition of an acid lava. [From Obsidius, who, according to Pliny, discovered it in Ethiopia.]

The Nuttall EncyclopediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Obsidian

   a hard, dark-coloured rock of a glassy structure found in lava, which breaks with conchoidal fracture.

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. obsidian

   The obsidian symbol -- In this Symbols.com article you will learn about the meaning of the obsidian symbol and its characteristic.

Matched Categories

1. • Volcanic Glass

How to pronounce Obsidian?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say Obsidian in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Obsidian in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Obsidian in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of Obsidian in a Sentence

1. Lee Green:

   The feel is very different because obsidian has no 'bite,' if you look under the microscope at a steel scalpel edge it looks almost like a saw, it has teeth, whereas obsidian is smooth even microscopically.

2. Lee Green:

   The biggest advantage with obsidian is that it is the sharpest edge there is, it causes very little trauma to tissue, it heals faster and more importantly it heals with less scarring, it makes for the best cosmetic outcome.

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References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=Obsidian
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Obsidian
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsidian
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Obsidian
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=Obsidian
7. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=Obsidian
8. ^ The Nuttall Encyclopedia
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12342/pg12342-images.html#Obsidian