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Webster 1913 Edition

Porphyry

Por′phy-ry

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Porphyries
(#)
.
[F.
porphyre
, L.
porphyrites
, fr. Gr. [GREEK] like purple, fr. [GREEK] 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
(Zool.)
,
a handsome marine gastropod shell (
Oliva porphyria
), having a dark red or brown polished surface, marked with light spots, like porphyry.

Webster 1828 Edition

Porphyry

POR'PHYRY

,
Noun.
[Gr. purple; L. porphyrites.] A mineral consisting of a homogeneous ground with crystals of some other mineral imbedded, giving to the mass a speckled complexion. One variety of Egyptian porphyry has a purple ground, whence the name of the species; but the homogeneous ground with imbedded crystals, being all that is essential to porphyry, its composition and colors are consequently various.
Porphyry is very hard, and susceptible of a fine polish.
Porphyry is composed of paste in which are disseminated a multitude of little angular and granuliform parts, of a color different from the ground.

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