plutonic

2 definitions found

plutonic - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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]

plutonic - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  plutonic
      adj 1: of igneous rock that has solidified beneath the earth's
             surface; granite or diorite or gabbro [syn: irruptive,
             plutonic]