glauconite

[ glaw-kuh-nahyt ]

noun

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

glauconite

/ ˈɡlɔːkəˌnaɪt; ˌɡlɔːkəˈnɪtɪk /

noun

1. 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

Derived Forms

• glauconitic, adjective

Other Words From

• glau·co·nit·ic [glaw-k, uh, -, nit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of glauconite¹

1830–40; < Greek glaukón, neuter of glaukós ( glauco- ) + -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of glauconite¹

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

Example Sentences

A greenish mineral called glauconite—a silicate of iron and alumina—is then formed.

From Project Gutenberg

In a few places a red colour prevails, the iron being mostly oxidized; elsewhere the muds are green owing to abundant glauconite.

From Project Gutenberg

Red limestones usually contain haematite; in green limestones there may be glauconite or chlorite.

From Project Gutenberg

The sandstones are grey in colour, weathering buff or reddish-brown, tinged more or less green by grains of glauconite.

From Project Gutenberg

They are made of a mixture of sand and clay coloured dark green by a mineral called glauconite.

From Project Gutenberg