Plutonic theory

Plutonic theory
Plutonic Plu*ton"ic, a. [Cf. F. plutonique. See {Pluto}.] 1. Of or pertaining to Pluto; Plutonian; hence, pertaining to the interior of the earth; subterranean. [1913 Webster]

2. Of, pertaining to, or designating, the system of the Plutonists; igneous; as, the Plutonic theory. [1913 Webster]

{Plutonic action} (Geol.), the influence of volcanic heat and other subterranean forces under pressure.

{Plutonic rocks} (Geol.), granite, porphyry, and some other igneous rocks, supposed to have consolidated from a melted state at a great depth from the surface. Cf. {Intrusive rocks}, under {Intrusive}.

{Plutonic theory}. (Geol.) See {Plutonism}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • PLUTONIC THEORY —    the theory that unstratifled rocks were formed by fusion in fire …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • Plutonic — Plu*ton ic, a. [Cf. F. plutonique. See {Pluto}.] 1. Of or pertaining to Pluto; Plutonian; hence, pertaining to the interior of the earth; subterranean. [1913 Webster] 2. Of, pertaining to, or designating, the system of the Plutonists; igneous; as …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Plutonic action — Plutonic Plu*ton ic, a. [Cf. F. plutonique. See {Pluto}.] 1. Of or pertaining to Pluto; Plutonian; hence, pertaining to the interior of the earth; subterranean. [1913 Webster] 2. Of, pertaining to, or designating, the system of the Plutonists;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Plutonic rocks — Plutonic Plu*ton ic, a. [Cf. F. plutonique. See {Pluto}.] 1. Of or pertaining to Pluto; Plutonian; hence, pertaining to the interior of the earth; subterranean. [1913 Webster] 2. Of, pertaining to, or designating, the system of the Plutonists;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • plutonic — /plooh ton ik/, adj. Geol. noting or pertaining to a class of igneous rocks that have solidified far below the earth s surface. [1790 1800; < L Pluton (s. of Pluto Pluto < Gk Ploúton) + IC; orig. referring to the Plutonic theory (see PLUTONISM)]… …   Universalium

  • plutonic — pertaining to or involving intense heat deep in the earth s crust, 1796, from PLUTO (Cf. Pluto) (q.v.) as god of the underworld; especially in ref. to early 19c. geological theory (championed by Hutton) that attributed most of the earth s… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Neptunian theory — Neptunian Nep*tu ni*an, prop. a. [L. Neptunius belonging to Neptune: cf. F. neptunien.] 1. Of or pertaining to the ocean or sea. [1913 Webster] 2. (Geol.) Formed by water or aqueous solution; as, Neptunian rocks. [1913 Webster] {Neptunian races}… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Neptunian theory — Neptunian theory, Geology. an old theory that many rocks now known to be volcanic or plutonic were deposited by water …   Useful english dictionary

  • Plutonism — Plutonic theory is the geologic theory proposed by James Hutton around the turn of the 19th century that volcanic activity was the source of rocks on the surface of the Earth. It was named for Pluto, the ancient Roman god of the underworld. This… …   Wikipedia

  • List of eponymous adjectives in English — An eponymous adjective is an adjective which has been derived from the name of a person, real or fictional. Persons from whose name the adjectives have been derived are called eponyms.Following is a list of eponymous adjectives in English. A… …   Wikipedia

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