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1. (n.) porphyry
a very hard rock, anciently quarried in Egypt, having a dark, purplish red groundmass containing small crystals of feldspar.
2. porphyry
any igneous rock containing coarse crystals, as phenocrysts, in a finer-grained groundmass.
Etymology: (1350–1400; ME porfurie, porfirie < ML porphyreum, alter. of L porphyrītēs < Gk porphyr&imacracute;tēs (líthos) porphyritic (i.e., purplish) stone =pórphyr(os)purple+-ītēs; see -ite1)
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| Definition of 'porphyry' |
Princeton's WordNet |
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1. (noun) porphyry, porphyritic rock
any igneous rock with crystals embedded in a finer groundmass of minerals
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| Definition of 'porphyry' |
Webster Dictionary |
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1. (noun) porphyry
a term used somewhat loosely to designate a rock consisting of a fine-grained base (usually feldspathic) through which crystals, as of feldspar or quartz, are disseminated. There are red, purple, and green varieties, which are highly esteemed as marbles
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| Definitions of 'porphyry' |
The Nuttall Encyclopedia |
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1. porphyry
a Neo-Platonic philosopher of Alexandria, born at Tyre; resorted to Rome and became a disciple of Plotinus (q. v.), whose works he edited; he wrote a work against Christianity, known only from the replies (233-305).
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Definitions of porphyry 
