albite

American  

[al-bahyt] / ˈæl baɪt /

noun

Mineralogy.

1. the sodium end member of the plagioclase feldspar group, light-colored and found in alkalic igneous rocks.

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albite British  

/ ˈælbaɪt, ælˈbɪtɪk /

noun

1. a colourless, milky-white, yellow, pink, green, or black mineral of the feldspar group and plagioclase series, found in igneous sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. It is used in the manufacture of glass and ceramics. Composition: sodium aluminium silicate. Formula: NaALSi 3 O 8 . Crystal structure: triclinic

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albite Scientific  

/ ăl′bīt′ /

1. A clear to milky white triclinic mineral of the plagioclase group. Albite is common in igneous rocks, especially granite, and in metamorphic rocks that formed at low temperatures. Chemical formula: NaAlSi ₃ O ₈ .

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Other Word Forms

• albitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of albite

1835–45; < Latin alb ( us ) white + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Felspar is a generic term which embraces a number of species, such as orthoclase or potash-felspar, albite or soda-felspar, and anorthite or lime-felspar.

From Geology by Geikie, James

Felspars, 103; albite, 103; composition of, 103; labradorite, 220; oligoclase, 103, 214, 220; orthoclase, 103, 214, 220; phosphoric acid in, 211; potash manures, 213; potash in, percentage of, 213, 220.

From Manures and the principles of manuring by Aikman, Charles Morton

One common variety was greenish-black, with large crystals of blackish albite.

From Geological Observations on South America by Darwin, Charles

These fragments consist of glassy albite, much mackled, and with very imperfect cleavages, mingled with semi-rounded grains, having tarnished, glossy surfaces, of a steel-blue mineral.

From Volcanic Islands by Darwin, Charles

There are the feldspars, including albite and orthoclase.

From Let's Collect Rocks and Shells by Shell Union Oil Corporation