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phenacite

[fen-uh-sahyt]
noun
  1. 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for phenacite

phenacite

phenakite (ˈfɛnəˌkaɪt)

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