Definition of Porphiry

Definition of Porphiry

Porphyry, a Neo-Platonic philosopher of Alexandria, born at Tyre; resorted to Rome and became a disciple of Plotinus (q. v.), whose works he edited; he wrote a work against Christianity, known only from the replies (233-305).

- Wikipedia

Por"phy*ry (?), n.; pl. Porphyries (#). [F. porphyre, L. porphyrites, fr. Gr. &?; like purple, fr. &?; purple. See Purple.] (Geol.) A term used somewhat loosely to designate a rock consisting of a fine-grained base (usually feldspathic) through which crystals, as of feldspar or quartz, are disseminated. There are red, purple, and green varieties, which are highly esteemed as marbles.

Porphyry shell(Zoöl.), a handsome marine gastropod shell (Oliva porphyria), having a dark red or brown polished surface, marked with light spots, like porphyry.

- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

a hard igneous rock consisting of large crystals in a fine-grain matrix

- The Nuttall Encyclopedia

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