pseudomorph

[ soo-duh-mawrf ]

noun

1. an irregular or unclassifiable form.
2. a mineral having the outward appearance of another mineral that it has replaced by chemical action.

pseudomorph

/ ˈsjuːdəʊˌmɔːf /

noun

1. a mineral that has an uncharacteristic crystalline form as a result of assuming the shape of another mineral that it has replaced

Derived Forms

• ˌpseudoˈmorphic, adjective
• ˌpseudoˈmorphism, noun

Other Words From

• pseudo·morphic pseudo·morphous adjective
• pseudo·morphism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pseudomorph¹

First recorded in 1840–50; pseudo- + -morph

Example Sentences

It is a pseudomorph after iolite, and consists mainly of hydrous aluminium silicate.

From Project Gutenberg