Syenite

//ˈsaɪənaɪt// noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Granite. countable, obsolete, uncountable
  2. 2
    An igneous rock composed of feldspar and hornblende. countable, uncountable

    "The temple, of which some massive hewn blocks and a fine column of Syenite granite still mark the site, occupied a terrace facing the source of the river and commanding a magnificent prospect."

Example

More examples

"The temple, of which some massive hewn blocks and a fine column of Syenite granite still mark the site, occupied a terrace facing the source of the river and commanding a magnificent prospect."

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin Syēnītēs, from Syēnē (“Aswan”), because it was anciently quarried there.

Related phrases

nepheline syenite

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.