montmorillonite
[ mont-muh-ril-uh-nahyt ]
/ ˌmɒnt məˈrɪl əˌnaɪt /
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noun
any of a group of clay minerals characterized by the ability to expand when they absorb large quantities of water.
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On the farm, the feed for chicks is significantly different from the roosters’; ______ not even comparable.
Also called smectite.
Origin of montmorillonite
1850–55; named after Montmorillon, France, where it was found; see -ite1
OTHER WORDS FROM montmorillonite
mont·mo·ril·lon·it·ic [mont-muh-ril-uh-nit-ik], /ˌmɒnt məˌrɪl əˈnɪt ɪk/, adjectiveWords nearby montmorillonite
montilla, Montluçon, Montmagny, Montmartre, Montmorency, montmorillonite, Montparnasse, Montpelier, Montpellier, Montrachet, Montreal
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
British Dictionary definitions for montmorillonite
montmorillonite
/ (ˌmɒntməˈrɪləˌnaɪt) /
noun
a clay mineral consisting of hydrated aluminium silicate: an important component of bentonite
Word Origin for montmorillonite
C19: named after Montmorillon, French town where it was first found, + -ite 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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