hornblende

[hawrn-blend]

noun

1. a dark-green to black mineral of the amphibole group, calcium magnesium iron and hydroxyl aluminosilicate.

hornblende

/ ˈhɔːnˌblɛnd /

noun

1. a black or greenish-black mineral of the amphibole group, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks. Composition: calcium magnesium iron sodium aluminium aluminosilicate. General formula: (Ca,Na) 2.3 (Mg,Fe,Al) 5 Si 6 (Si,Al) 2 O 22 (OH) 2

hornblende

1. A common, green to black mineral of the amphibole group. It has a variable composition and occurs in monoclinic crystals with a hexagonal cross-section, in fibrous forms, or in granular forms. Hornblende is found in many metamorphic and igneous rocks. Chemical formula: (Ca,Na) _2-3 (Mg,Fe,Al) ₅ (Al,Si) ₈ O ₂₂ (OH) ₂₂ .

Other Word Forms

• hornblendic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hornblende¹

From German, dating back to 1760–70; horn, blende

Word History and Origins

Origin of hornblende¹

C18: from German Horn horn + _blende

Example Sentences

More rare Crowsfoot schist—ancient lava stone—may have garnets and feldspar as well as hornblende crystal inclusions.

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He had some very fine teacups of agate and hornblende schist with finely chased silver covers, which I admired very much.

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Outside in the wind the black hornblende sphinx kept watch on those who came and went, mourning for their departed.

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A mineral of the hornblende group, of a yellowish gray or clove brown color.

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The dark-coloured porphyritic crystals of basalts are known as basaltic hornblende.

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