glauconite

[ glaw-kuh-nahyt ]

noun

a greenish micaceous mineral consisting essentially of a hydrous silicate of potassium, aluminum, and iron and occurring in greensand, clays, etc.

Origin of glauconite

1830–40; <Greek glaukón, neuter of glaukós (see glauco-) + -ite¹

Other words from glauconite

glau·co·nit·ic [glaw-kuh-nit-ik], /ˌglɔ kəˈnɪt ɪk/, adjective

Words Nearby glauconite

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use glauconite in a sentence

A greenish mineral called glauconite—a silicate of iron and alumina—is then formed.
The Elements of Geology | William Harmon Norton
In a few places a red colour prevails, the iron being mostly oxidized; elsewhere the muds are green owing to abundant glauconite.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 | Various
Red limestones usually contain haematite; in green limestones there may be glauconite or chlorite.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 16, Slice 6 | Various
The sandstones are grey in colour, weathering buff or reddish-brown, tinged more or less green by grains of glauconite.
The Geological Story of the Isle of Wight | J. Cecil Hughes
They are made of a mixture of sand and clay coloured dark green by a mineral called glauconite.
The Geological Story of the Isle of Wight | J. Cecil Hughes

British Dictionary definitions for glauconite

glauconite

/ (ˈɡlɔːkəˌnaɪt) /

noun

a green mineral consisting of the hydrated silicate of iron, potassium, aluminium, and magnesium: found in greensand and other similar rocks. Formula: (K,Na,Ca) 0.5-1 (Fe,Al,Mg) 2 (Si,Al) 4 O 10 (OH) 2 .nH 2 O

Origin of glauconite

C19: from Greek glaukon, neuter of glaukos bluish-green + -ite 1; see glaucous

Derived forms of glauconite

glauconitic (ˌɡlɔːkəˈnɪtɪk), adjective

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

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