columbite

[kuh-luhm-bahyt]

noun

a black, crystalline mineral, iron niobate, (Fe, Mn)Nb2O6, the principal ore of niobium, an end member of a series of solid solutions in which manganese and tantalum combine to form tantalite.

Origin of columbite

First recorded in 1795–1805; columb(ium) + -ite¹

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Examples from the Web for columbite

Historical Examples of columbite

Columbium pentoxide (columbic acid), Cb2O5, is obtained from columbite, after the removal of tantalum (see above).
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6
Various

British Dictionary definitions for columbite

columbite

noun

a black mineral consisting of a niobium oxide of iron and manganese in orthorhombic crystalline form: occurs in coarse granite, often with tantalite, and is an ore of niobium. Formula: (Fe, Mn)(Nb) 2 O 6Also called: niobite

Word Origin for columbite

C19: from columbium + -ite 1

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