phenacite

[ fen-uh-sahyt ]

/ ˈfɛn əˌsaɪt /

noun

a rare vitreous mineral, beryllium silicate, Be2SiO4, occurring in crystals, sometimes used as a gem.

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Also phen·a·kite

[fen-uh-kahyt] /ˈfɛn əˌkaɪt/.

Origin of phenacite

1825–35; < Greek phenak- (stem of phénax) a cheat, quack + -ite¹

Words nearby phenacite

phelps, phemister graft, phenacaine, phenacetin, phenaceturic acid, phenacite, phenanthrene, phenanthrenequinone, phenarsazine chloride, phenate, phenazine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for phenacite

phenacite

phenakite (ˈfɛnəˌkaɪt)

/ (ˈfɛnəˌsaɪt) /

noun

a colourless or white glassy mineral consisting of beryllium silicate in hexagonal crystalline form: occurs in veins in granite. Formula: Be 2 SiO 4

Word Origin for phenacite

C19: from Greek phenax a cheat, because of its deceptive resemblance to quartz

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012