a very large irregular-shaped mass of igneous rock, esp granite, formed from an intrusion of magma at great depth, esp one exposed after erosion of less resistant overlying rocks
Derived forms
batholithic (ˌbathoˈlithic) or batholitic (ˌbathoˈlitic)
adjective
batholith in American English
(ˈbæθoʊˌlɪθ)
noun
a massive, dome-shaped formation of intrusive igneous rock, usually granite, that is thought to have originated far beneath the earth's surface, forms the base of mountain ranges, and is often found exposed as the result of long periods of erosion
see also laccolith: often called ˈbathoˌlite (ˈbæθoʊˌlaɪt)