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

Derived Forms

• hornblendic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of hornblende

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

Example Sentences

Hornblende is made of silicon, oxygen, carbon, and iron.

From Earth and Sky Every Child Should Know Easy studies of the earth and the stars for any time and place by Rogers, Julia Ellen

Hornblende, horn′blend, n. a mineral of various colours, found in granite and other igneous rocks that contain quartz.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Amphibole is a general name for all the different varieties of Hornblende, Actinolite, Tremolite, etc., while Pyroxene includes Augite, Diallage, Malacolite, Sahlite, etc.

From The Student's Elements of Geology by Lyell, Charles, Sir

Hornblende schist is common over large areas in the Lake Superior region.

From The Elements of Geology by Norton, William Harmon

Hornblende is green, rarely brownish; augite pale green or nearly colourless; enstatite appears in some granulite-gneisses.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 2 "Gloss" to "Gordon, Charles George" by Various