outcrop
Americannoun
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Geology.
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a cropping out, as of a stratum or vein at the surface of the earth.
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the exposed portion of such a stratum or vein.
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something that emerges suddenly or violently in the manner of an outcrop; outbreak.
an outcrop of student demonstrations.
verb (used without object)
noun
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part of a rock formation or mineral vein that appears at the surface of the earth
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an emergence; appearance
verb
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(of rock strata, mineral veins, etc) to protrude through the surface of the earth
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another word for crop out
Etymology
Origin of outcrop
First recorded in 1760–70; noun use of verb phrase crop out
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Having driven up to Llyn Teifi in the Cambrian mountains, we stand on a bridge, surrounded by rocky outcrops and marshland.
From BBC
As in their previous investigations, the researchers examined Ediacaran age rocks collected from drill cores and outcrops in Oman, western India, and Siberia.
From Science Daily
Mr. Hodge pointed to an outcropping along a towering stone wall.
From Literature
In her hands was a sickle moon, and behind her was an outcrop of spindly red trees with branches that looked like crooked fingers.
From Literature
On the far edge was an outcropping of rocks, high above a creek, where a man in a top hat tended a fire.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
