| 释义 |
▪ I. ophite, n.1 Min.|ˈɒfaɪt|
Also 7 ophit.
[ad. L. ophītēs (Pliny), a. Gr. ὀϕίτης (sc. λίθος) serpentine stone, f. ὄϕι-ς serpent: see -ite1 2 b.]
Name for various eruptive or metamorphic rocks, usually green, and having spots or markings like a serpent; serpentine; serpentine marble.
[1398Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xvi. lxviii. (1495) 574 Marbyl is callyd Ophites for it is speclyd lyke an adder. 1567J. Maplet Gr. Forest 15 That kinde of Marble which is called Ophites, which hath spottes like a Serpent.] 1644Evelyn Diary 22 Oct., A column of ophite on which [is] a statue of Justice..cut out of porphyrie. 1703T. S. Art's Improv. p. xix, It consists of one solid Stone, a kind of an Ophite or Spotted Marble. 1740Dyer Ruins Rome 77 Cærulean ophite, and the flow'ry vein Of orient jasper. 1868Dana Min. (ed. 5) 468 The names Serpentine, Ophite, Lapis colubrinus, allude to the green serpent-like cloudings of the serpentine marble.
attrib.1644Evelyn Diary 25 Oct., A columne of ophite stone. 1694Motteux Rabelais v. xxxvii, A hard well-polish'd Ophits Stone.
▪ II. ˈophite, a. rare.
[ad. Gr. ὀϕίτης of or like a serpent.]
Of the nature of or resembling a serpent; of a sinuous form; serpentine.
1828Webster, Ophite, pertaining to a serpent. 1851Murray's Hand-bk. Devon & Cornwall p. xxiv, The avenues..run invariably in straight lines, and thus differ from those which have a true ophite character. |