nepheline

[ nef-uh-lin ]

noun

1. a feldspathoid mineral, essentially sodium aluminum silicate, NaAlSiO 4 , occurring in alkali-rich volcanic rocks.

nepheline

/ ˈnɛfɪlɪn; ˈnɛfɪˌlaɪt; -ˌliːn /

noun

1. a whitish mineral consisting of sodium potassium aluminium silicate in hexagonal crystalline form: used in the manufacture of glass and ceramics. Formula: (Na,K)(AlSi) 2 O 4

Word History and Origins

Origin of nepheline¹

1805–15; < French néphéline, equivalent to néphél- (< Greek nephélē cloud) + -ine -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of nepheline¹

C19: from French néphéline, from Greek nephelē cloud, so called because pieces of it become cloudy if dipped in nitric acid

Example Sentences

The flows from Kibo include nepheline and leucite basanite lavas rich in soda felspars.

From Project Gutenberg

Leucite and nepheline rocks have been found in various parts of the island, especially in the south-west.

From Project Gutenberg

The largest of these streams is that from the Niedermendig, which consists of porous masses of nepheline lava.

From Project Gutenberg

The nepheline is in small six-sized prisms, and usually cannot be detected with the unaided eye.

From Project Gutenberg

This substance may be imperfectly crystallized nepheline, or a peculiar glass which is rich in soda.

From Project Gutenberg