adularia

[ aj-uh-lair-ee-uh ]

nounMineralogy.
  1. a sometimes opalescent variety of orthoclase formed at a low temperature.

Origin of adularia

1
1790–1800; <Italian <French adulaire, named after Adula a mountain group in Switzerland; see -ary

Words Nearby adularia

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British Dictionary definitions for adularia

adularia

/ (ˌædjʊˈlɛərɪə) /


noun
  1. a white or colourless glassy variety of orthoclase in the form of prismatic crystals. It occurs in metamorphic rocks and is a minor gemstone. Formula: KAlSi 3 O 8

Origin of adularia

1
C18: via Italian from French adulaire, after Adula, a group of mountains in Switzerland

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