n. 1. A common, coarse-grained, light-colored, hard igneous rock consisting chiefly of quartz, orthoclase or microcline, and mica, used in monuments and for building. 2. Unyielding endurance; steadfastness: a will of granite. [Italian granito, from past participle of granire, to make grainy, from grano, grain, from Latin grānum; see gə-no- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] gra·nitic (gră-nĭtĭk, grə-), granit·oid′ (grănĭ-toid′) adj. |
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