allophane

[al-uh-feyn]

noun

a clay mineral, an amorphous hydrous silicate of aluminum, occurring in blue, green, or yellow, resinous to earthy masses.

Origin of allophane

1835–45; < Greek allophanḗs, equivalent to allo- allo- + phan- (stem of phaínesthai to appear) + -ēs adj. suffix

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British Dictionary definitions for allophane

allophane

noun

a variously coloured amorphous mineral consisting of hydrated aluminium silicate and occurring in cracks in some sedimentary rocks

Word Origin for allophane

C19: from Greek allophanēs appearing differently, from allo- + phainesthai to appear

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012