corundum

[ kuh-ruhn-duhm ]
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noun
  1. a common mineral, aluminum oxide, Al2O3, notable for its hardness: transparent varieties, as sapphire and ruby, are used as gems, other varieties as abrasives: often made synthetically.

Origin of corundum

1
1720–30; <Tamil kuruntam; akin to Sanskrit kuruvinda ruby

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British Dictionary definitions for corundum

corundum

/ (kəˈrʌndəm) /


noun
  1. a white, grey, blue, green, red, yellow, or brown mineral, found in metamorphosed shales and limestones, in veins, and in some igneous rocks. It is used as an abrasive and as gemstone; the red variety is ruby, the blue is sapphire. Composition: aluminium oxide. Formula: Al 2 O 3 . Crystal structure: hexagonal (rhombohedral)

Origin of corundum

1
C18: from Tamil kuruntam; related to Sanskrit kuruvinda ruby

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

Scientific definitions for corundum

corundum

[ kə-rŭndəm ]


  1. An extremely hard mineral occurring in many colors, either as shapeless grains or as rhombohedral crystals. It also occurs in gem varieties such as ruby and sapphire and in a dark-colored variety that is used for polishing and scraping. Corundum is found in igneous and carbonate rocks. Chemical formula: Al2O3.

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