In geology, igneous rocks are rocks that were once so hot that they were liquid.
[technical]
igneous in British English
(ˈɪɡnɪəs)
adjective
1.
(of rocks) derived by solidification of magma or molten lava emplaced on or below the earth's surface
Compare sedimentary, metamorphic (sense 2)
2.
of or relating to fire
Word origin
C17: from Latin igneus fiery, from ignis fire
igneous in American English
(ˈɪgniəs)
adjective
1.
of, containing, or having the nature of, fire; fiery
2.
produced by the action of fire; specif., formed by volcanic action or intense heat, as intrusive or extrusive rock solidified from molten magma or lava
Word origin
L igneus < ignis, a fire < IE base *egnis > Sans agníḥ, fire, Lith ugnìs
Examples of 'igneous' in a sentence
igneous
I'd had such splendid confusions about the geological world back then, before marrying a man who'd minored in igneous and granite.
Kingsolver, Barbara HOMELAND AND OTHER STORIES (1990)