from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Granite \Gran"ite\ (gr[a^]n"[i^]t), n. [It. granito granite,
adj., grainy, p. p. of granire to make grainy, fr. L. granum
grain; cf. F. granit. See {Grain}.] (Geol.)
A crystalline, granular rock, consisting of quartz, feldspar,
and mica, and usually of a whitish, grayish, or flesh-red
color. It differs from gneiss in not having the mica in
planes, and therefore in being destitute of a schistose
structure.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Varieties containing hornblende are common. See also
the {Note} under {Mica}.
[1913 Webster]
{Gneissoid granite}, granite in which the mica has traces of
a regular arrangement.
{Graphic granite}, granite consisting of quartz and feldspar
without mica, and having the quartz crystals so arranged
in the transverse section like oriental characters.
{Porphyritic granite}, granite containing feldspar in
distinct crystals.
{Hornblende granite}, or
{Syenitic granite}, granite containing hornblende as well as
mica, or, according to some authorities hornblende
replacing the mica.
{Granite ware}.
(a) A kind of stoneware.
(b) A Kind of ironware, coated with an enamel resembling
granite.
[1913 Webster]