What does "gneiss" mean?

A common and widely-distributed metamorphic rock having bands or veins, but not schistose.

What is a synonym for "gneiss"?

Common synonyms include: aa, abyssal rock, banded metamorphic rock, banded rock, basalt, bedrock.

/ˈnaɪs/ noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Noun

1
A common and widely-distributed metamorphic rock having bands or veins, but not schistose. uncountable, usually
"The old towns along the route are as solidly built from the gneiss of the region as you might expect."
2
a laminated metamorphic rock similar to granite wordnet

"The old towns along the route are as solidly built from the gneiss of the region as you might expect."

From German Gneis, from Middle High German gneist (“spark”), from Old High German gneisto (“spark”). More at gnast.