Dictionary Definition

porphyry n : any igneous rock with crystals embedded in a finer groundmass of minerals [syn: porphyritic rock]

User Contributed Dictionary

Porphyry (pronounced /'pɔː(ɹ)fɪri/, from the Greek porphyrios "purple-clad") may refer to:

Porphyry (geology), a plutonic rock with large crystals in a fine-grained matrix
Porphyry (philosopher) (c. 232-c. 305), a Neoplatonic philosopher
Porphyrio, also known as Pomponius Porphyrio, a Latin grammarian, fl. 2nd or 3rd century BC
Porphyry copper, a type of large, low-grade mineral deposit
St. Porphyry of Gaza, Bishop of Gaza c. 347–420
Porphyry, a vineyard near Seaham, New South Wales
Porphyry, a system of astrological house division
Porphyrius the Charioteer (Byzantine chariot racer)