plutonic igneous rock having visibly crystalline texture; generally composed of feldspar and mica and quartz
"The builders chose granite because it is a hard, plutonic igneous rock with a visibly crystalline texture made of feldspar, mica, and quartz."
A group of igneous and plutonic rocks composed primarily of feldspar and quartz. Usually contains one or more dark minerals, which may be mica, pyroxene, or amphibole. Granite is quarried for building stone, road gravel, decorative stone, and tombstones. Common colors are gray, white, pink, and yellow-brown.
"The architect selected a massive slab of granite with its characteristic mix of quartz, feldspar, and dark mica to create the foundation of the new monument."
In plain English: Granite is a very hard and strong rock made of cooled magma that people often use to build countertops and monuments.
"The kitchen table is made of polished granite and looks very elegant."
Usage: Granite is the hard, coarse-grained stone commonly used for countertops, flooring, and building facades due to its durability and speckled appearance. Unlike softer stones like marble, it resists scratches and heat well but requires sealing to prevent staining from oils or acids.
An island in South Australia
"The boat drifted past Granite, an isolated island off the coast of South Australia."
The word granite entered English via the French and Italian terms for the rock, which ultimately derive from a root meaning "grain." Its name reflects the stone's characteristic grainy texture rather than referring to any specific type of material originally.