hornblende

American  

[hawrn-blend] / ˈhɔrnˌblɛnd /

noun

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

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hornblende British  

/ 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

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hornblende Scientific  

/ hôrn′blĕnd′ /

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 .

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Other Word Forms

• hornblendic adjective

Etymology

Origin of hornblende

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

Example Sentences

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg