orthoclase

American  

[awr-thuh-klays, -klayz] / ˈɔr θəˌkleɪs, -ˌkleɪz /

noun

1. a common white or pink mineral of the feldspar group, KAlSi 3 O 8 , having two good cleavages at right angles, and found in silica-rich igneous rocks: used in the manufacture of porcelain.

---

orthoclase British  

/ ˈɔːθəʊˌkleɪs, -ˌkleɪz /

noun

1. a white to pale yellow, red, or green mineral of the feldspar group, found in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. It is used in the manufacture of glass and ceramics. Composition: potassium aluminium silicate. Formula: KAlSi 3 O 8 . Crystal structure: monoclinic

---

orthoclase Scientific  

/ ôr′thə-klās′ /

1. A white to yellowish red monoclinic mineral of the potassium feldspar group that forms from medium- to low-temperature magmas. Chemical formula: KAlSi ₃ O ₈ .

---

Etymology

Origin of orthoclase

1840–50; ortho- + -clase < Greek klásis cleavage, breaking

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

orthoclase

Felsic is the compositional term applied to continental igneous minerals and rocks that contain an abundance of orthoclase feldspar.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2017

In England the material employed is mostly orthoclase from Scandinavia, often known as “Swedish spar.”

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 2 "Fairbanks, Erastus" to "Fens" by Various

Granite is a mixture of quartz, felspar, and mica in variable proportions, and the quality of the soil it yields depends on whether the variety of felspar present be orthoclase or albite.

From Elements of Agricultural Chemistry by Thomas Anderson

The essential constituents are quartz, orthoclase and plagioclase, and by the addition to these of biotite, garnet, epidote, blue quartz, and hornblende, five types are formed.

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

A transparent or translucent variety of common feldspar, or orthoclase, which often shows pearly opalescent reflections; - called by lapidaries moonstone.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Noah Webster

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---