amygdale: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “amygdale” mean?
A cavity in volcanic rock that is filled with secondary minerals such as quartz, calcite, or zeolite.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cavity in volcanic rock that is filled with secondary minerals such as quartz, calcite, or zeolite.
In geology, a rounded or elliptical vesicle (bubble) in an igneous rock that has been filled with minerals deposited from percolating solutions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage between UK and US English.
Connotations
Neutral, purely descriptive geological term.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties outside of specialist geological literature.
Grammar
How to Use “amygdale” in a Sentence
The amygdale [VERB: is filled with/was lined with/contains] [MINERAL]The rock contains [NUMBER] amygdalesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “amygdale” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The amygdaloidal texture was visible under the microscope.
American English
- The rock had a distinctive amygdaloidal structure.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in business contexts.
Academic
Exclusively used in geology, petrology, and volcanology.
Everyday
Never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used precisely to describe the feature in volcanic and igneous rock samples.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “amygdale”
- Confusing 'amygdale' (geology) with 'amygdala' (neuroscience).
- Pronouncing it as /ˈæmɪɡdeɪl/ (stress on first syllable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Amygdale' is a geological term for a filled vesicle in rock. 'Amygdala' is a part of the brain involved in emotion.
It is used exclusively in geology, specifically in igneous petrology and volcanology.
It is pronounced /əˈmɪɡdeɪl/ (uh-MIG-dayl), with stress on the second syllable.
Yes, the adjective 'amygdaloidal' describes rock with amygdales. The word shares a Greek root ('amygdalē' meaning almond) with 'amygdala', due to the shape.
A cavity in volcanic rock that is filled with secondary minerals such as quartz, calcite, or zeolite.
Amygdale is usually technical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Amygdales are like tiny, rocky AMY-gdales (aims) that minerals hit and fill.
Conceptual Metaphor
A fossilised bubble; a geological pocket.
Practice
Quiz
What is an 'amygdale'?