gneiss

Etymology

From German Gneis, from Middle High German gneist (“spark”), from Old High German gneisto (“spark”). More at gnast.

noun

  1. (geology) A common and widely-distributed metamorphic rock having bands or veins, but not schistose.
    The old towns along the route are as solidly built from the gneiss of the region as you might expect. 2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society, published 2011, page 98

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