bentonite

[ ben-tn-ahyt ]

noun

, Mineralogy.

1. a clay formed by the decomposition of volcanic ash, having the ability to absorb large quantities of water and to expand to several times its normal volume.

bentonite

/ ˈbɛntəˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a valuable clay, formed by the decomposition of volcanic ash, that swells as it absorbs water: used as a filler in the building, paper, and pharmaceutical industries

Other Words From

• ben·ton·it·ic [ben-tn-, it, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bentonite¹

1895–1900; named after Fort Benton, Montana; -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of bentonite¹

C19: from Fort Benton , Montana, USA, where found, + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

The discovery of two large bentonite fields in southwestern North Dakota in 1930 opened up a new mineral resource.

From Project Gutenberg

Sodium sulphate and bentonite are two of the more recent mineral discoveries in North Dakota.

From Project Gutenberg