mafic

English

Etymology

Blend of magnesium +‎ ferric.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈmafɪk/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈmeɪfɪk/, /ˈmæfɪk/

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Adjective

mafic (comparative more mafic, superlative most mafic)

1. (geology) Describing rocks, such as silicate minerals, magmas, and volcanic and intrusive igneous rocks, which contain relatively high concentrations of magnesium and iron.

   Synonyms: ferromagnesic, basic

   Antonyms: felsic, acidic

   • 2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society, published 2011, page 60:

     As a whole, rocks of this type are referred to as mafic, because of the importance of magnesium and iron in their composition.

Derived terms

• ultramafic

Translations

describing rocks, such as silicate minerals, magmas, and volcanic and intrusive igneous rocks, which contain relatively high concentrations of magnesium and iron

• Finnish: mafinen (fi), emäksinen (fi)

Noun

mafic (plural mafics)

1. A rock with such properties.