inosilicate

[ in-uh-sil-i-kit, -keyt, ahy-nuh- ]

noun

, Mineralogy.

1. any silicate having a structure consisting of paired parallel chains of tetrahedral silicate groups, every other of which shares an oxygen atom with a group of the other chain, the ratio of silicon to oxygen being 4 to 11.

Word History and Origins

Origin of inosilicate¹

< Greek īno- (combining form of ī́s fiber, sinew) + silicate