allanite

[al-uh-nahyt]

noun Mineralogy.

a member of the epidote group, a silicate of calcium, cerium, aluminum, and iron, occurring chiefly in brown-to-black masses or prismatic crystals.

Origin of allanite

1835–45; named after Thomas Allan (1777–1833), English mineralogist; see -ite¹

Related formsal·la·nit·ic

[al-uh-nit-ik] /ˌæl əˈnɪt ɪk/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for allanite

allanite

noun

a rare black or brown mineral consisting of the hydrated silicate of calcium, aluminium, iron, cerium, lanthanum, and other rare earth minerals. It occurs in granites and other igneous rocks. Formula: (Ca,Ce,La,Y) 2 (Al,Fe,Be,Mn,Mg) 3 (SiO 4) 3 (OH)

Word Origin for allanite

C19: named after T. Allan (1777–1833), English mineralogist

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