nepheline

American  

[nef-uh-lin] / ˈnɛf ə lɪn /

Also nephelite

noun

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

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nepheline British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of nepheline

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nepheline

Miascite is one of the varieties of syenite most frequently spoken of; it is composed chiefly of orthoclase and nepheline, with hornblende and quartz as occasional accessory minerals.

From The Student's Elements of Geology by Lyell, Charles, Sir

Scheerer on the identity of eleolite and nepheline, 253.

From COSMOS: A Sketch of the Physical Description of the Universe, Vol. 1 by Humboldt, Alexander von

If nepheline entirely replaces felspar, the rock is known as nepheline-basalt; if the replacement is only partial the term nepheline-basanite is used.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 3 "Banks" to "Bassoon" by Various

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

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various

Mesotype and nepheline constitute, according to Girard, an important part in the composition and internal texture of basalt.

From COSMOS: A Sketch of the Physical Description of the Universe, Vol. 1 by Humboldt, Alexander von