allanite

[ al-uh-nahyt ]

noun

, Mineralogy.

1. a member of the epidote group, a silicate of calcium, cerium, aluminum, and iron, occurring chiefly in brown-to-black masses or prismatic crystals.

allanite

/ ˈæləˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a rare black or brown mineral consisting of the hydrated silicate of calcium, aluminium, iron, cerium, lanthanum, and other rare earth minerals. It occurs in granites and other igneous rocks. Formula: (Ca,Ce,La,Y) 2 (Al,Fe,Be,Mn,Mg) 3 (SiO 4 ) 3 (OH)

Other Words From

• al·la·nit·ic [al-, uh, -, nit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of allanite¹

1835–45; named after Thomas Allan (1777–1833), English mineralogist; -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of allanite¹

C19: named after T. Allan (1777–1833), English mineralogist