sphalerite
[sfal-uh-rahyt, sfey-luh-]
- a very common mineral, zinc sulfide, ZnS, usually containing some iron and a little cadmium, occurring in yellow, brown, or black crystals or cleavable masses with resinous luster: the principal ore of zinc and cadmium; blackjack.
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Origin of sphalerite
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for sphalerite
Historical Examples
The most important mineral of zinc is the sulphide, sphalerite or "zinc blende."
The Economic Aspect of GeologyC. K. Leith
In the Missouri region, on the other hand, sphalerite and blende are the typical ores.
The A B C of MiningCharles A. Bramble
Sphalerite is a fairly common and widespread mineral, occurring nearly always in veins in most kinds of rocks.
GeologyWilliam J. Miller
sphalerite
- a yellow to brownish-black mineral consisting of zinc sulphide in cubic crystalline form with varying amounts of iron, manganese, cadmium, gallium, and indium: the chief source of zinc. Formula: ZnSAlso called: zinc blende
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Word Origin
C19: from Greek sphaleros deceitful, from sphallein to cause to stumble
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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sphalerite
[sfăl′ə-rīt′]
- A usually yellow-brown or brownish-black cubic mineral occurring either as single dodecahedral crystals or as granular masses. It often contains cadmium, arsenic, or manganese and has a distinct rotten egg odor. It is often found in association with the mineral galena and is the primary ore of zinc. Chemical formula: ZnS.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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