| 释义 |
variolite Geol.|ˈvɛərɪəlaɪt|
[f. med.L. variol-a variola + -ite1 2. Cf. F. variolite, G. variolit.]
A kind of rock embedded with spherulites which give it the appearance of being pock-marked (see quots.); esp. the diabase (diorite) of Brongniart.
1796Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I. 368 Variolites. Stones that have rounded protuberances, of a different nature from the common mass of the stone. 1811Pinkerton Petrol. I. 133 When the crystals..assume an oval, but particularly a round shape, the rock may be aptly styled a variolite. Ibid., The stones called variolites of Durance, being pebbles rolled down by that river in Dauphiny. 1879Rutley Stud. Rocks xiii. 248 Variolite is an aphanitic diabase of compact texture and greenish-grey colour, in which there occur little concretions of a paler colour, ranging up to the size of small nuts. |