gabbro Geol.
(ˈgæbrəʊ)
[a. It. gabbro.]
(See quot. 1864–72.)
| 1837 Dana Syst. Min. 288 Saussurite occurs in primitive regions, and with hornblende and augite constitutes the rocks called gabbro and euphotide. 1864–72 Watts Dict. Chem. II. 756 Gabbro, the name given by the Italian artists..to a rock essentially composed of felspar and diallage, called by the French geologists euphotide. 1879 Rutley Study Rocks x. 120 Enstatite occurs in Iherzolite and certain gabbros. |
Hence gaˈbbroic, gabbroˈitic adjs., of or pertaining to gabbro; having the nature of gabbro.
| 1884 Science July IV. 71 Gabbroic and granitic rocks. 1893 Jrnl. Geol. I. 595 Diabases from dykes..in which the gabbroitic as well as the diabasic structures are well exhibited. 1895 Ibid. III. 1 The rarity of olivine in the granulitic rocks is in marked contrast with its abundance in the gabbroitic variety. |