scoria

[skawr-ee-uh, skohr-] /ˈskɔr i ə, ˈskoʊr-/
noun, plural scoriae
[skawr-ee-ee, skohr-] /ˈskɔr iˌi, ˈskoʊr-/ (Show IPA)
1.
Metallurgy. the refuse, dross, or slag left after melting or smelting metal; scum.
2.
Geology. a cinderlike basic cellular lava.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Latin scōria < Greek skōría, derivative of skôr dung
Related forms
scoriaceous
[skawr-ee-ey-shuh s, skohr-] /ˌskɔr iˈeɪ ʃəs, ˌskoʊr-/ (Show IPA), adjective
Examples from the web for scoria
  • Although clinker commonly is called scoria, scoria is not the appropriate term.
  • Both scoria and pumice develop their bubbly textures when escaping gas is trapped as lava solidifies.
  • Most are composed of central scoria and tuff cones intruded by numerous dikes and one or more plugs.
  • scoria and lava deposits overlie tuff deposits from early eruptions.
  • Tephra includes large rocks and small fragments, such as scoria, pumice and volcanic ash.
British Dictionary definitions for scoria

scoria

/ˈskɔːrɪə/
noun (pl) -riae (-rɪˌiː)
1.
a rough cindery crust on top of solidified lava flows containing numerous vesicles
2.
refuse obtained from smelted ore; slag
Derived Forms
scoriaceous (ˌskɔːrɪˈeɪʃəs) adjective
Word Origin
C17: from Latin: dross, from Greek skōria, from skōr excrement
scoria in Science
scoria
  (skôr'ē-ə)   
Plural scoriae (skôr'ē-ē')
Rough, crusty, solidified lava containing numerous vesicles that originated as gas bubbles in the lava while it was still molten.