hypersthene

[hahy-pers-theen]

noun

Mineralogy.

1. a dark iron magnesium silicate, an orthorhombic pyroxene containing more than 14 percent ferrous oxide.

hypersthene

/ ˌhaɪpəˈsθɛnɪk, ˈhaɪpəˌsθiːn /

noun

1. a green, brown, or black pyroxene mineral consisting of magnesium iron silicate in orthorhombic crystalline form. Formula: (Mg,Fe) 2 Si 2 O 6

Other Word Forms

• hypersthenic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypersthene¹

1800–10; hyper- + Greek sthénos strength, might; replacing hyperstene < French hyperstène

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypersthene¹

C19: from _hyper- + Greek sthenos strength

Example Sentences

An eruptive rock allied to trachyte, consisting essentially of a triclinic feldspar, with pyroxene, hornblende, or hypersthene.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

Schiller, shil′ėr, n. the peculiar bronze-like lustre observed in certain minerals, as hypersthene, &c., due to internal reflection.—ns.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

Hypersthene, hī-per-sthēn′, n. a rock-forming mineral which crystallises in orthorhombic forms, an anhydrous magnesian silicate, generally dark green or raven-black in colour.—adj.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

Green augite and hypersthene form a considerable part of these rocks, they may contain also biotite, hornblende and quartz.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

Hypersthene and scapolite both may occur in these rocks and they are sometimes garnetiferous.

Read more on Project Gutenberg