porphyry

What it means

1. countableuncountablegeographyA hard igneous rock consisting of large crystals in a fine-grained matrix.
   1. countableuncountablegeographyA purple-red rock of this kind.

      A quartet of porphyry warriors, locked for all time in stern embrace outside St. Mark's Basilica, were probably carved in the Fourth Century. They are believed to represent the Roman Emperor Diocletian and the three men who held power with him.

      1980, Colin Thubron, Seafarers: The Venetians, page 43

In a sentence

A quartet of porphyry warriors, locked for all time in stern embrace outside St. Mark's Basilica, were probably carved in the Fourth Century. They are believed to represent the Roman Emperor Diocletian and the three men who held power with him.

1980, Colin Thubron, Seafarers: The Venetians, page 43

Where it comes from

1. Ancient Greekπορφυρίτης λίθος“purple stone”
2. Old Frenchporfire
3. Englishporphyry

From Old French porfire, from Ancient Greek πορφυρίτης λίθος (porphurítēs líthos, “purple stone”), from πορφύρα (porphúra, “purple-fish, purple dye”).