Advertisement

Advertisement

bentonite

[ ben-tn-ahyt ]

noun

, Mineralogy.
  1. a clay formed by the decomposition of volcanic ash, having the ability to absorb large quantities of water and to expand to several times its normal volume.


bentonite

/ ˈbɛntəˌnaɪt /

noun

  1. a valuable clay, formed by the decomposition of volcanic ash, that swells as it absorbs water: used as a filler in the building, paper, and pharmaceutical industries
“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


Discover More

Other Words From

  • ben·ton·it·ic [ben-tn-, it, -ik], adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of bentonite1

1895–1900; named after Fort Benton, Montana; -ite 1
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of bentonite1

C19: from Fort Benton , Montana, USA, where found, + -ite 1
Discover More

Example Sentences

The discovery of two large bentonite fields in southwestern North Dakota in 1930 opened up a new mineral resource.

Sodium sulphate and bentonite are two of the more recent mineral discoveries in North Dakota.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Benton Harborbent out of shape