gabbro

[ gab-roh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Petrology.

, plural gab·bros.

gabbro

/ ˈɡæbrəʊ /

a dark coarse-grained basic plutonic igneous rock consisting of plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene, and often olivine

gabbro

/ găb′rō /

A usually dark, coarse-grained igneous rock composed mostly of plagioclase feldspar and clinopyroxene, and sometimes olivine. Gabbro is the coarse-grained equivalent of basalt.

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Origin of gabbro¹

< Italian; akin to Latin glaber smooth

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Origin of gabbro¹

C19: from Italian, probably from Latin glaber smooth, bald

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How does gabbro compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Peridotite and gabbro form much of the eastern peninsula (Banggai).

Gabbro, a typical basic rock, corresponds to basalt in chemical composition.

The gneisses appear to be due in many cases to the crushing and shearing of deep-seated igneous rocks, such as granite and gabbro.

The one exception is on Caribou Ridge, which is capped by a much altered gabbro.

These volcanic materials are pierced by serpentine, gabbro and granite.

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