galena

[ guh-lee-nuh ]

noun

1. a common, heavy mineral, lead sulfide, PbS, occurring in lead-gray crystals, usually cubes, and cleavable masses: the principal ore of lead.

galena

/ ɡəˈliːnaɪt; ɡəˈliːnə /

noun

1. a grey mineral, found in hydrothermal veins. It is the chief source of lead. Composition: lead sulphide. Formula: PbS. Crystal structure: cubic

galena

/ gə-lē′nə /

1. A gray, metallic mineral occurring in cube-shaped crystals within veins of igneous rock or in sedimentary rocks. It is the main ore of lead. Chemical formula: PbS.

Word History and Origins

Origin of galena¹

1595–1605; < Latin: lead ore

Word History and Origins

Origin of galena¹

C17: from Latin: lead ore, dross left after melting lead

Example Sentences

Jessie had bought a galena crystal mounted, as that was more satisfactory, the book said.

From Project Gutenberg

Galena, a small town on Upper Mississippi, in the lead-mining district.

From Project Gutenberg

The primary sources of gold are reefs, either in quartz or in metalliferous veins of galena and the various pyrites.

From Project Gutenberg

The lead mines of Galena and Dubuque had gathered in somewhat larger settlements.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1822 Galena was visited by a Mississippi River steamboat, and a few years later regular steamboat traffic was established.

From Project Gutenberg