anorthoclase

[ an-awr-thuh-kleys, -kleyz ]

noun

, Mineralogy.

1. a variety of microcline, rich in sodium and sometimes having a play of color: sometimes considered a variety of orthoclase.

anorthoclase

/ ăn-ôr′thə-klās′ /

1. A white to colorless triclinic mineral of the alkali feldspar group. It is a common constituent in the matrices of slightly alkaline volcanic rocks. Chemical formula: (Na,K)AlSi 3 O 8 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of anorthoclase¹

an- ¹ + orthoclase