Phaneritic is a term usually used to refer to
igneous rock grain size. It means that the size of matrix grains in the
rock is large enough to be distinguished with the unaided
eye as opposed to
aphanitic grains (which are too small to be seen with the naked eye). This
texture forms by the slow cooling of magma deep underground in the
plutonic environment. It may also be applied to
metamorphic rocks with the same definition.