Dictionary.com
definitions

montmorillonite

[ mont-muh-ril-uh-nahyt ]
/ ˌmɒnt məˈrɪl əˌnaɪt /

noun

any of a group of clay minerals characterized by the ability to expand when they absorb large quantities of water.

Nearby words

  1. montluçon,
  2. montmagny,
  3. montmartre,
  4. montmorency,
  5. montmorency, anne, duc de,
  6. montparnasse,
  7. montpelier,
  8. montpellier,
  9. montrachet,
  10. montreal

Origin of montmorillonite

1850–55; named after Montmorillon, France, where it was found; see -ite1
Also called smectite.
Related formsmont·mo·ril·lon·it·ic [mont-muh-ril-uh-nit-ik] /ˌmɒnt məˌrɪl əˈnɪt ɪk/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012