phonolite

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a fine-grained volcanic rock composed chiefly of alkali feldspar and nepheline, some varieties of which ring when struck

   The volcanic cone consisted largely of columnar phonolite.

Borrowed through French phonolithe from German Phonolith, formed from Greek phone, 'sound,' + lithos, 'stone.' It translates German Klingstein, 'ringing stone,' because some slabs of the rock produce a metallic sound when struck.

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