psammiticadj.
/saˈmɪtɪk/, /səˈmɪtɪk/, U.S. /səˈmɪdɪk/ Geology.
Of the nature of or resembling psammite; consisting of or containing psammite; (of sandstone) consisting of fine rounded grains. Also: derived by metamorphism from a sandstone.
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the world > the earth > structure of the earth > constituent materials > rock > metamorphic rock > [adjective] > other metamorphics
quartzitic1849
psammitic1882
phyllitic1888
siallitic1933
hornfelsic1951
rodingitic1953
1817 Amer. Reg. 1 444/1 Fine-grained Psammite..and psammitic phyllade..in the primitive phyllades which are sometimes found under our third granite.
1823 tr. A. von Humboldt Geognostical Ess. Superposition Rocks 257 M. Brongniart thinks that the arenaceous formation, or as he calls it the calcareo-psammitic formation of the Apennines..serves as the basis of jaspiferous euphotide.]
1847 Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Psammitic, pertaining to psammite.
1869 R. F. Burton Explor. Highlands Brazil II. x. 139 The hard sandstone ‘pissarra’ or psammitic grit.
1882 A. Geikie Text-bk. Geol. 87 Psammitic, or sandstone-like, composed of rounded grains, as in ordinary sandstone: when the grains are larger (often sharp and somewhat angular) the rock is gritty, or a grit.
1910 Q. Jrnl. Geol. Soc. 66 377 They may be conveniently divided into (1) a Psammitic Group..and (2) a Pelitic Group.
1960 R. Tyndale-Biscoe in W. V. Brelsford Handbk. Federation of Rhodesia & Nyasaland xxiii. 433 Throughout the greater part of the Territory, the rocks of the upper portion of the Basement, or Muva, consist of thick alternating beds of psammitic and pelitic metasediments.
1962 H. H. Read & J. Watson Introd. Geol. I. ix. 539 Psammitic gneisses commonly form massive pinkish rocks composed principally of quartz and feldspar.
1993 Jrnl. Petrol. 34 346 This is due partly to..the unreactive nature of the largely psammitic country rock.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1817