hornín

Horny is a term that can refer to several different concepts, often related to geology and material science. In a geological context, "horny" might describe the texture of certain rocks or minerals, particularly those that are hard, dense, and have a glassy or flinty appearance. This texture can arise from rapid cooling of volcanic materials or from the fine-grained crystalline structure of certain sedimentary or metamorphic rocks. For example, chert and obsidian are sometimes described as having a horny texture due to their hardness and conchoidal fracture.

In material science, "horny" could also refer to materials that exhibit horn-like properties, such as toughness, flexibility, and resistance to wear. This might include natural materials like animal horns or synthetic materials engineered to mimic these characteristics. The term implies a certain resilience and durability.

However, it is important to note that "horny" is not a standardized technical term in geology or material science, and its usage can be informal or descriptive rather than strictly scientific. Context is crucial when encountering the word to understand its precise meaning. Depending on the field, it might also be used colloquially to describe something that is tough or resilient.