microcline
[ mahy-kruh-klahyn ]
/ ˈmaɪ krəˌklaɪn /
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noun
a mineral of the feldspar group, potassium aluminum silicate, KAlSi3O8, identical in composition with orthoclase but having triclinic instead of monoclinic crystals, used in making porcelain.
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Words nearby microcline
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for microcline
The felspar of the granulites is mostly orthoclase or cryptoperthite; microcline, oligoclase and albite are also common.
Orthoclase and microcline feldspar are used in the manufacture of porcelain and chinaware.
Geology|William J. MillerAt Danbury the mineral occurs with microcline and oligoclase embedded in dolomite.
The common color of microcline is white to pale yellow, but occasionally green and red occur.
British Dictionary definitions for microcline
microcline
/ (ˈmaɪkrəʊˌklaɪn) /
noun
a white, creamy yellow, red, or green mineral of the feldspar group, found in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks: used in the manufacture of glass and ceramics. Composition: potassium aluminium silicate. Formula: KAlSi 3 O 8 . Crystal structure: triclinic
Word Origin for microcline
C19: from German Mikroklin, from mikro- micro- + Greek klinein to lean; so called because its cleavage plane is slightly different from 90°
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for microcline
microcline
[ mī′krō-klīn′ ]
A white, pink, red-brown, or green type of potassium feldspar. It is dimorphous with orthoclase feldspar, differing from it in shape and in the fact that it forms at lower temperatures.Chemical formula: KAlSi3O8.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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