sphalerite
[ sfal-uh-rahyt, sfey-luh- ]
/ ˈsfæl əˌraɪt, ˈsfeɪ lə- /
|
noun
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.
Words nearby sphalerite
Origin of sphalerite
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for sphalerite
The most important mineral of zinc is the sulphide, sphalerite or "zinc blende."
The Economic Aspect of Geology|C. K. LeithSphalerite is a fairly common and widespread mineral, occurring nearly always in veins in most kinds of rocks.
Geology|William J. MillerIn the Missouri region, on the other hand, sphalerite and blende are the typical ores.
The A B C of Mining|Charles A. Bramble
British Dictionary definitions for sphalerite
sphalerite
/ (ˈsfæləˌraɪt, ˈsfeɪlə-) /
noun
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
Word Origin for sphalerite
C19: from Greek sphaleros deceitful, from sphallein to cause to stumble
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Science definitions for sphalerite
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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