Definition of Neptunism in English:
Neptunism
noun ˈnɛptjuːnɪzmˈnɛpt(j)uˌnɪzəm
mass nounGeology historical The erroneous theory that rocks such as granite were formed by crystallization from the waters of a primeval ocean. The chief advocate of this theory was Abraham Gottlob Werner.
Compare with plutonism
Example sentencesExamples
- As the science of mineralogy progressed, it became clear that Neptunism was flawed.
- C. is noted for the development of the concept of Neptunism.
- An enthusiastic fossil digger, he was influenced by his friend James Hutton, though he accepted elements of both Neptunism and Vulcanism.
- This Swedish scientist made the first chemical classification of minerals (torbernite is named for him) and devised a scheme for the world's rocks that Werner later perfected as Neptunism.
- The similarity of the shape of the columns to those of quartz crystals was once used to support the theory (called Neptunism) that volcanic rocks precipitated from water.
Derivatives
noun & adjective
Geology historical These developments led to the eventual rise of the Neptunist school, which advocated precipitation from a primeval ocean to produce the ancient crystalline rocks.
Example sentencesExamples
- In its most extreme form, the Neptunists said that all rocks - even granites - are produced from the sea.
- Through careful scientific observation, Hutton realised that the Neptunist view could not be true.
- If you had been a Neptunist, would this evidence have persuaded you to renounce Neptunism?
- The Neptunists and the Vulcanists held clashing theories of geological origins through flood or fire.
Definition of Neptunism in US English:
Neptunism
nounˈnept(y)o͞oˌnizəmˈnɛpt(j)uˌnɪzəm
Geology historical The erroneous theory that rocks such as granite were formed by crystallization from the waters of a primeval ocean. The chief advocate of this theory was Abraham Gottlob Werner (1749–1817).
Compare with plutonism
Example sentencesExamples
- The similarity of the shape of the columns to those of quartz crystals was once used to support the theory (called Neptunism) that volcanic rocks precipitated from water.
- An enthusiastic fossil digger, he was influenced by his friend James Hutton, though he accepted elements of both Neptunism and Vulcanism.
- As the science of mineralogy progressed, it became clear that Neptunism was flawed.
- C. is noted for the development of the concept of Neptunism.
- This Swedish scientist made the first chemical classification of minerals (torbernite is named for him) and devised a scheme for the world's rocks that Werner later perfected as Neptunism.