igneous Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective produced under conditions involving intense heat; especially from molten magma"
    pyrogenous; pyrogenic.
    • igneous rock is rock formed by solidification from a molten state
    • igneous fusion is fusion by heat alone
    • pyrogenic strata
  2. adjective produced by the action of fire or intense heat
    eruptive.
    • rocks formed by igneous agents
  3. adjective satellite like or suggestive of fire
    fiery.
    • a fiery desert wind
    • an igneous desert atmosphere

WordNet

Ig"ne*ous adjective
Etymology
L. igneus, fr. ignis fire; allied to Skr. agni, Lith. ugnis, OSlav. ogne.
Definitions
  1. Pertaining to, having the nature of, fire; containing fire; resembling fire; as, an igneous appearance.
  2. (Geol.) Resulting from, or produced by, the action of fire; as, lavas and basalt are igneous rocks.

Webster 1913