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Obsidian

Geology
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A dark volcanic glass formed when lava cools very quickly. It suggests sharpness, reflection, and frozen fire.

Detailed Definition
Obsidian is a natural glass produced when silica-rich lava cools so rapidly that crystals do not have time to form. It often appears black, though it may show brown, green, or reddish tones, and it can break into exceptionally sharp edges. Poets may use obsidian for its contradictions: it is born of fire yet looks like darkness; it reflects like a mirror yet cuts like a blade. It can evoke dangerous beauty, polished anger, or memory hardened too quickly to heal.
Example
Example in poetry:
The obsidian arrowhead flashed black in the dust, sharp as an old accusation; Because obsidian forms volcanic glass, a poet can compare it to frozen fire or darkened light; Her silence was obsidian, glossy on the surface and dangerous at its edge; In a mythic poem, obsidian mirrors may suggest prophecy, self-knowledge, or a threatening reflection
Additional Notes
Obsidian breaks into extremely sharp edges and was used for tools and blades. Its glossy black surface combines beauty with danger and concealed violence.
Other Meanings of “Obsidian”
Also Known As
Volcanic Glass Natural Glass
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