igneous, a.
(ˈɪgniːəs)
[f. L. igne-us of fire, fiery (f. igni-s fire) + -ous. (F. has igné, It. igneo.)]
1. Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of fire; fiery.
| 1664 H. More Myst. Iniq. Apol. 496 There are many instances how Igneous and Lucid they [the bodies of angels] are. 1777 Priestley Matt. & Spir. (1782) I. xx. 267 The soul..was first conceived to be an aerial, or an igneous substance. 1830 Lyell Princ. Geol. I. 327 Earthquakes and igneous exhalations. 1876 Page Adv. Text-bk. Geol. ii. 39 Volcanoes, earthquakes, and other igneous phenomena. |
2. Resulting from, or produced by, the action of fire; esp. in Geol. Produced by volcanic agency (opposed to aqueous 3).
| 1665 Glanvill Scepsis Sci. xx. 127 Ignorant of the immediate way of Igneous solutions. 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I. 455 The igneous origin of basalts. 1812 Sir H. Davy Chem. Philos. 48 The analysis of mineral bodies..in experiments..on their igneous fusion. 1830 Lyell Princ. Geol. I. iv. 58 Basalt and other igneous rocks. 1858 Geikie Hist. Boulder viii. 146 The cleft..has been once filled by a wall of igneous rock called a trap-dyke. |