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

Rather than a distinct species, it is really a ferriferous variety of enstatite, which owing to partial alteration has acquired a bronze-like sub-metallic lustre on the cleavage surfaces.

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