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.

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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

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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 .

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Etymology

Origin of orthoclase

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

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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

Of their minerals felspar Is usually the most abundant, and is principally labradorite and bytownite, though anorthite occurs in some, while oligoclase and orthoclase have been found in others.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 4 "G" to "Gaskell, Elizabeth" by Various

It is usually rich in potash, the predominating felspar being orthoclase, but somewhat deficient in nitrogen and phosphoric acid.

From Fruits of Queensland by Albert H. Benson

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

It must be remembered, however, that it is only the orthoclase or potash felspars which contain large quantities of potash—other felspathic rocks, such as oligoclase and labradorite, being comparatively poor in it.

From Manures and the principles of manuring by Charles Morton Aikman

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