petalite

[ pet-l-ahyt ]

noun

1. a mineral, lithium aluminum silicate, Li(AlSi 4 O 1 0 ), occurring in colorless or white foliated masses: an important source of lithium.

Word History and Origins

Origin of petalite¹

From the German word Petalit, dating back to 1800–10. See petal, -ite ¹

Example Sentences

An alkaline earth found in petalite, &c., and in small quantities in most mineral waters.

From Project Gutenberg