Definition

Referring to a type of igneous rock that has a very low silica content and is rich in minerals like iron and magnesium.

Example

The geologist studied the ultrabasic rock samples to understand their mineral composition.

Conversation

I was reading about different types of rocks, and I came across something called ultrabasic rocks.

Oh really? What makes them ultrabasic?

They have very low silica content and are rich in iron and magnesium.

That sounds interesting! I didn’t know there were so many types of rocks.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ultrabasic → It is formed from "ultra-" (meaning beyond or extreme) and "basic" (from Latin "basis", meaning foundation or base). The word "ultrabasic" refers to something that is extremely basic or fundamental, often used in geological contexts to describe rocks with a very low silica content.

Memory Tip

Think of 'ultra-' meaning 'beyond' and 'basic' referring to a 'foundation' — so ultrabasic means something that goes beyond the usual foundation.

Visually Confused Words