hypersthene

American  

[hahy-pers-theen] / ˈhaɪ pərsˌθin /

noun

Mineralogy.

1. a dark iron magnesium silicate, an orthorhombic pyroxene containing more than 14 percent ferrous oxide.

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hypersthene British  

/ ˌhaɪpəˈsθɛnɪk, ˈhaɪpəˌsθiːn /

noun

1. a green, brown, or black pyroxene mineral consisting of magnesium iron silicate in orthorhombic crystalline form. Formula: (Mg,Fe) 2 Si 2 O 6

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Other Word Forms

• hypersthenic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of hypersthene

1800–10; hyper- + Greek sthénos strength, might; replacing hyperstene < French hyperstène

Example Sentences

Their metallic appearance arises from their being composed of a mineral called hypersthene.

From A Yacht Voyage Round England by Kingston, William Henry Giles

BRONZITE, a member of the pyroxene group of minerals, belonging with enstatite and hypersthene to the orthorhombic series of the group.

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

The southern part of this island is mainly formed of mountains of greenstone, which often assumes a syenitic character, and contains much hypersthene.

From Volcanic Islands by Darwin, Charles

The following minerals produce beads with a small quantity of soda, but with the addition of more produce slags: tabular spar, diallage, hypersthene, epidote, zoisite.

From A System of Instruction in the Practical Use of the Blowpipe Being A Graduated Course Of Analysis For The Use Of Students And All Those Engaged In The Examination Of Metallic Combinations by Anonymous

Its prevalence is due to the unstable composition of the original minerals of the rock, such as olivine, hypersthene, and pyroxene.

From History and Comprehensive Description of Loudoun County, Virginia by Head, James William