varioliticadj.
/ˌvɛːrɪəˈlɪtɪk/, U.S. /ˌvɛriəˈlɪdɪk/ Geology.
Of the nature of or characteristic of variolite; containing varioles, spherulitic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > constituent materials > stone > a stone > [adjective] > concretionary or modular > spherulite > containing or composed of
variolitic1808
spherulitic1845
1808 Philos. Mag. 30 305 The opposite part is a true serpentine of a dark green, without globules or variolitic spots.
1862 G. P. Scrope Volcanos (ed. 2) 365 The clinkstone is usually variolitic.
1878 P. H. Lawrence tr. B. von Cotta Rocks Classified (new ed.) 139 Diabase..is sometimes..variolitic or amygdaloidal.
1929 A. Knopf Mother Lode Syst. Calif. 16/2 The basal greenstone has a remarkably fine variolitic structure through a thickness of 15 feet.
1983 S. I. Tomkeieff et al. Dict. Petrol. 592/1 Rocks with a variolitic structure frequently have a pitted or spotted appearance.
2008 Precambrian Res. 214–215 95 The lavas are generally massive or amygdaloidal, but flow-top breccias and variolitic lavas are also found.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1808