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

/ 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 .

Derived Forms

• ˌhornˈblendic, adjective

Other Words From

• horn·blendic 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

Their geological formation is granite, with gneiss and mica slate, with clay slate, hornblende and primitive limestone overlying.

From Project Gutenberg

There were, also, some striking water-worn masses of granitical and hornblende porphyry.

From Project Gutenberg

They were succeeded by rocks of hornblende, which continued the whole distance to the head of the Grand Rapid.

From Project Gutenberg

If my observations were well taken it embraces, sparingly, orbicular masses of hornblende.

From Project Gutenberg

This latter embraces boulders of quartz and hornblende rock, along with limestones and sandstones.

From Project Gutenberg