olivine
Americannoun
noun
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Also called: chrysolite. an olive-green mineral of the olivine group, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks. The clear-green variety (peridot) is used as a gemstone. Composition: magnesium iron silicate. Formula: (MgFe) 2 SiO 4 . Crystal structure: orthorhombic
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any mineral in the group having the general formula (Mg,Fe,Mn,Ca) 2 SiO 4
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An olive-green to brownish-green orthorhombic mineral. Olivine is a common mineral in the igneous rocks, such as basalt and gabbro, that make up most of the Earth's crust beneath the oceans. Chemical formula: (Mg,Fe) 2 SiO 4 .
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◆ Olivine in which the mafic component consists entirely of magnesium is called forsterite. Chemical formula: Mg 2 SiO 4 .
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◆ Olivine in which the mafic component consists entirely of iron is called fayalite. Chemical formula: Fe 2 SiO 4 .
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of olivine
1785–95; < German Olivin, equivalent to Olive olive + -in -ine 2
Vocabulary lists containing olivine
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The team is now testing whether a fast-dissolving mineral called olivine could be used to neutralize the acidic runoff without releasing carbon, potentially cutting emissions drastically.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
They are produced in a number of ways but the main process involves the interaction of ground water with iron-rich minerals such as olivine.
From BBC ● Dec. 11, 2023
One, Project Vesta, in 2022 spread an alkaline mineral called olivine on a Long Island beach to test whether that would result in more alkaline waters as waves wash the material out to sea.
From Science Magazine ● Nov. 30, 2023
The carbonates suggested changes in water content that fit the primitive composition, while the olivine is a product of thermal decomposition of phyllosilicates at extreme temperatures.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 28, 2023
Other minerals which have been found in eclogites are bronzite, olivine and glaucophane.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 10 "Echinoderma" to "Edward" by Various
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