enstatite

American  

[en-stuh-tahyt] / ˈɛn stəˌtaɪt /

noun

Mineralogy.

1. a yellow-green fibrous magnesium silicate, an orthorhombic pyroxene found in norites containing less than five percent ferrous oxide.

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enstatite British  

/ ˈɛnstəˌtaɪt /

noun

1. a grey, green, yellow, or brown pyroxene mineral consisting of magnesium silicate in orthorhombic crystalline form. Formula: Mg 2 Si 2 O 6

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enstatite Scientific  

/ ĕn′stə-tīt′ /

1. A glassy, usually yellowish gray orthorhombic variety of pyroxene. It is usually found in igneous rocks and meteorites. Chemical formula: Mg ₂ Si ₂ O ₆ .

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Other Word Forms

• enstatitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of enstatite

1855–60; < Greek enstát ( ēs ) adversary + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

The chemical composition of the asteroids, gleaned by telescopes, matched a set of rare meteorites called EL enstatite chondrites, they reported in 2022.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 16, 2024

Rare meteorites called enstatite chondrites have high metal contents and Psyche-like densities, but their parent body is thought to have formed closer to the Sun.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 13, 2023

The two other minerals found in the new inclusion, ferropericlase and enstatite, can only occur together at 660 km and deeper, pinpointing where the diamond formed.

From Scientific American • Sep. 26, 2022

Between 100 million and 500 million years, the atmosphere will cool, and dusty clouds made of minerals such as enstatite and quartz will form.

From Scientific American • Aug. 16, 2021

Here, in addition to schillerization, the original enstatite has been altered by hydration and the product has approximately the composition of serpentine.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various