granite
pronunciation
How to pronounce granite in British English:
UK [ˈɡrænɪt]
How to pronounce granite in American English:
US [ˈɡrænɪt]
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- Noun:
- plutonic igneous rock having visibly crystalline texture; generally composed of feldspar and mica and quartz
- something having the quality of granite (unyielding firmness)
Word Origin
- granite
- granite: [17] Etymologically, granite is ‘grainy or granular rock’. The word was borrowed from Italian granito, a derivative of grano ‘grain’ (which is related to English grain). (English acquired the Italian feminine form granita in the 19th century as a term for a granular form of water ice.)=> grain
- granite (n.)
- 1640s, from French granit(e) (17c.) or directly from Italian granito "granite," originally "grained," past participle adjective from granire "granulate, make grainy," from grano "grain," from Latin granum "grain" (see grain (n.)). In reference to the appearance of the rock. Used figuratively for "hardness" (of the heart, head, etc.) from 1839. New Hampshire, U.S., has been the Granite State since at least 1825.
Example
- 1. A giant granite horse that graced an emperor 's palace .
- 2. The nearly six-foot - tall ( 1.75 meters ) slab of pink granite was covered with religious texts .
- 3. In any case , the granite is unyielding .
- 4. They are built of stone , hand cut granite blocks .
- 5. Indira has worked at the local granite quarry since she was three .