granites

Noun

granite (countable and uncountable, plural granites)

1. A group of igneous and plutonic rocks composed primarily of feldspar and quartz. Usually contains one or more dark minerals, which may be mica, pyroxene, or amphibole. Granite is quarried for building stone, road gravel, decorative stone, and tombstones. Common colors are gray, white, pink, and yellow-brown.
   • Many monuments sold in the US are crafted from granite produced in China, India and elsewhere overseas, while a lot of stone-working equipment comes from Europe.2022 February 21, Tami Luhby, “Headstone makers struggle to serve grieving families as supply chain woes continue”, in CNN, archived from the original on 12 Jun 2025
2. (figuratively, uncountable) Toughness; the quality of having a thick skin or being rough.
   • ‘Then the father has a great fight with his terrible conscience,’ said Munday with granite seriousness. ‘Should he make a row with the police […]? Or should he say nothing about it and condone brutality for fear of appearing in the newspapers?1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 18, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC

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