Basalt

Pronunciation: /bəˈsɔlt/

Definitions of basalt

noun a dark-colored fine-grained volcanic rock

Example Sentences

A1 Basalt is a type of volcanic rock.

A2 The road was paved with basalt stones.

B1 Basalt is commonly used in construction for its durability.

B2 The basalt cliffs along the coast were a stunning sight.

C1 Geologists study the formation of basalt to understand volcanic processes.

C2 The artist used basalt sculptures to create a unique exhibit.

Examples of basalt in a Sentence

formal The basalt formations in the area are a result of ancient volcanic activity.

informal Check out the cool basalt rocks over there.

slang Those basalt cliffs are lit!

figurative His heart felt as heavy and solid as basalt.

Grammatical Forms of basalt

• past tense: basalted
• plural: basalts
• comparative: more basalt
• superlative: most basalt
• present tense: basalts
• future tense: will basalt
• perfect tense: has basalted
• continuous tense: is basalting
• singular: basalt
• positive degree: basalt
• infinitive: to basalt
• gerund: basalting
• participle: basalting

Origin and Evolution of basalt

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Latin and Greek

Story behind the word: The word 'basalt' is derived from the Latin word 'basaltes', which in turn comes from the Greek word 'basanites lithos' meaning 'touchstone'. Basalt was often used to test the purity of gold and silver due to its hardness.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'basalt' has come to specifically refer to a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock rather than just a touchstone. Its usage has become more specialized in the field of geology.