granite English · revision 15386

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1613–39|origins=la grānum}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɡɹæn.ɪt/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|granit]] or directly [[it|granito|t=granite; originally grained]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) the past participle of [[m|it|granire|t=to granulate]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from [[m|it|grano|t=grain]], from [[la|grānum|t=grain]] (see [[corn]] and [[grain]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) named for the rock's grainy appearance.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A granular crystalline rock: 1613–39 in the OED;^(OED 1989) 1646 in Barnhart and Merriam-Webster, the 1640s in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Figuratively, of hardness of heart or head, it is from 1839.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) New Hampshire has been the Granite State since at least 1825.^(Etymonline) In American use a granite was also a rough-grained water ice, from 1887.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1613–39 – granite.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1646 – granite (Barnhart).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1825 – the Granite State.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1839 – hardness (figurative).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A hard, light-coloured, coarse-grained [[igneous]] rock made mainly of [[quartz]], [[feldspar]] and [[mica]], used in building and monuments.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Great hardness, endurance or firmness of purpose.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[granitic]]

+ * [[granitelike]]

+ * [[granitoid]]

+ * [[graniteware]]

+ * [[granitite]]

+ * [[granitization]]

+ * [[granitize]]

+ * [[granodiorite]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[grain]]

+ * [[granule]]

+ * [[granular]]

+ * [[corn]]

+ * [[garnet]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Northumberland, sinkers used ''granite'' for a very flinty rock in the coal measures.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}