rheomorphismn.
/ˌriːə(ʊ)ˈmɔːfɪz(ə)m/, U.S. /ˌriəˈmɔrˌfɪzəm/ 1. Biology. Apparently: considerations of anatomical shape and orientation of an organism in relation to the direction of a current of water; cf. rheomorphic adj. 1. rare.
ΚΠ
1935 Ecology 16 Index 35 Rheomorphism.
2. Geology. The process by which a rock becomes plastic, usually as a result of partial melting and the addition by diffusion of extraneous magmatic material.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > formation of features > metamorphism > [noun] > magmatism
plutonism1879
piezo-crystallization1895
assimilation1903
palingenesis1907
syntexis1911
rheomorphism1937
magmatism1952
1937 Proc. Geologists' Assoc. 48 260 These are clearly cases of rheomorphism. [Note] Backlund has introduced the term rheomorphism for the process whereby a pre-existing rock becomes partially or completely mobilised or fused as a result of the introduction of migrating materials (in great or small amount) with concomitant rise of temperature.
1964 L. U. de Sitter Struct. Geol. (ed. 2) xxix. 402 In some of these pockets of recrystallized nonoriented rock the random orientation of gneissic or schistose inclusions or xenoliths proves that this disturbance can develop into flow. This phenomenon has been called ‘rheomorphism’.
2005 Jrnl. Volcanol. & Geothermal Res. 145 264/2 Secondary flow, rheomorphism and block sliding have been used to explain the occurrence of welded deposits several kilometres from the source.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1935