Definition of Hornfels

1. Noun. A fine-grained metamorphic rock formed by the action of heat on clay rocks.

Exact synonyms: Hornstone
Generic synonyms: Metamorphic Rock

Definition of Hornfels

1. Noun. Any of a series of contact metamorphic rocks that have been baked and indurated by the heat of intrusive igneous masses and rendered massive, hard, splintery, and in some cases exceedingly tough and durable. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Hornfels

1. a silicate rock [n HORNFELS]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Hornfels

horned viper
horned whiff
hornedness
hornednesses
hornel
hornels
hornen
horner
horner syndrome
horners
hornet
hornet's nest
hornet stings
hornets
hornets' nest
hornfels (current term)
hornfelses
hornfish
hornfishes
hornfoot
hornful
hornfuls
horngeld
horngelds
hornified
hornifies

Literary usage of Hornfels

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. British Petrography: With Special Reference to the Igneous Rocks by Jethro Justinian Harms Teall (1888)
"The term hornfels is applied not only to the compact but also to the more or less crystalline varieties. It is used by many writers as a general name for ..."

2. Summary of Progress of the Geological Survey of Great Britain and the Museum by Geological Survey of Great Britain (1903)
"I. ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CRYSTALLINE SCHISTS FROM GRANITE AND hornfels IN ZONES OF SECONDARY SHEARING. By CT CLOUGH, MA In the course of the survey of ..."

3. Annual Report by Geological Survey of Canada (1906)
"The unaltered slates appear everywhere to grade into or to be interbedded with hornfels, the latter being undoubtly a metamorphosed form of the former. ..."

4. The Gabbros and Associated Rocks at Preston, Connecticut by Gerald Francis Loughlin (1912)
"to form hornfels ledges cut by many gabbro stringers that run in different ... Beyond the border the hornfels texture is gradually obscured and finally ..."

5. Science by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1895)
"To the southeast lies a portion of the Schlema stock of turmaline granite, also bordered by its metamorphic rim of hornfels. The metamor- phic belt belongs ..."

6. The School of Mines Quarterly by Columbia University School of Chemistry (1899)
"Normal hornfels containing " augen" and layers composed almost wholly of green hornblende. ... hornfels containing richly scattered crystals of andalusite. ..."

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