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.

Words nearby montmorillonite

montilla, montluçon, montmagny, montmartre, montmorency, montmorillonite, montparnasse, montpelier, montpellier, montrachet, montreal

Origin of montmorillonite

1850–55; named after Montmorillon, France, where it was found; see -ite¹

Also called smectite.

OTHER WORDS FROM montmorillonite

mont·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