† ˈwacken Geol. Obs.
[app. a. G. wacken-, combining form of wacke: see prec.]
= wacke.
| 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I. 219 [Basaltine] is most found in basalts, wacken, and lava. 1802 Playfair Illustr. Hutton. Theory 67 The wacken, mullen and crag of Kirwan. |
b. Comb.: wacken porphyry.
| 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I. 355 Wacken Porphyry. 1807 J. Headrick Arran 61 The hills at the head of Glencloy are composed of wacken porphyry. |
Hence wackeˈnitic a., of the nature or composition of wacke.
| 1866 Lawrence tr. Cotta's Rocks Classified (1878) 88 We shall use the adjective ‘wackenitic’ to designate this [decomposed] state of those rocks. |