hypersthene

American  

[hahy-pers-theen] / ˈhaɪ pərsˌθin /

noun

Mineralogy.

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

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hypersthene British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• hypersthenic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of hypersthene

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hypersthene

Its prevalence is due to the unstable composition of the original minerals of the rock, such as olivine, hypersthene, and pyroxene.

From History and Comprehensive Description of Loudoun County, Virginia by Head, James William

These feldsparites sometimes form mountain masses almost without any admixture of other minerals; but at other times they include augite, which passes into hypersthene.

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

The following minerals produce beads with a small quantity of soda, but with the addition of more produce slags: tabular spar, diallage, hypersthene, epidote, zoisite.

From A System of Instruction in the Practical Use of the Blowpipe Being A Graduated Course Of Analysis For The Use Of Students And All Those Engaged In The Examination Of Metallic Combinations by Anonymous

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

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

A special feature, recurring in many members of the group, is the presence of strongly pleochroic, reddish or green hypersthene.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 8 "Chariot" to "Chatelaine" by Various