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Definition of "mafic" [mafic]

  • Containing or relating to a group of dark-colored minerals, composed chiefly of magnesium and iron, that occur in igneous rocks. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "mafic" in a sentence
  • "The first type of vents occur throughout the world's mid-ocean ridges and are hosted by rocks that are rich in magnesium and iron -- called mafic rocks."
  • "As we collect and analyze this data, we try to identify certain aspects as belonging to a class of minerals, such as clays, sulfate or mafic silicates."
  • "Some small areas of mafic and ultramafic rocks also occur, producing more basic soils."
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