spinel

or spi·nelle

[ spi-nel, spin-l ]

/ spɪˈnɛl, ˈspɪn l /

noun

any of a group of minerals composed principally of oxides of magnesium, aluminum, iron, manganese, chromium, etc., characterized by their hardness and octahedral crystals.

a mineral of this group, essentially magnesium aluminate, MgAl2O4, some varieties being used as gems.

Words nearby spinel

spine-bashing, spine-chiller, spine-chilling, spine-tingling, spinebash, spinel, spinel ruby, spineless, spinescent, spinet, spingarn

Origin of spinel

1520–30; < French spinelle < Italian spinella, equivalent to spin(a) thorn (< Latin spīna) + -ella -elle

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

Examples from the Web for spinel

Mrs. Todd's brother got kicked in the spinel string (cord) with a mewel an' he died the same nite.
Watch Yourself Go By|Al. G. Field
Mention has been made above of a stone frequently substituted for the true ruby, called the “spinel” or “balas” ruby.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 5|Various
Limestone is the usual matrix of spinel, although it is more often mined in gravels resulting from the weathering of the matrix.
A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public|Frank Bertram Wade
It is in reality a "spinel," a stone of inferior hardness and less intense color and brilliancy than the true ruby.
Stories about Famous Precious Stones|Mrs Goddard Orpen

The hardness of Spinel is 8, or about that of topaz, and the specific gravity 3.6.
Birds and Nature, Vol. 12 No. 5 [December 1902]|Various

British Dictionary definitions for spinel

spinel

/ (spɪˈnɛl) /

noun

any of a group of hard glassy minerals of variable colour consisting of oxides of aluminium, magnesium, chromium, iron, zinc, or manganese and occurring in the form of octahedral crystals: used as gemstones

a hard, glassy mineral composed of magnesium-aluminium oxide found in metamorphosed limestones and many basic and ultrabasic igneous rocks. Formula: MgAl 2 O 4

Word Origin for spinel

C16: from French spinelle, from Italian spinella, diminutive of spina a thorn, from Latin; so called from the shape of the crystals

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

Scientific definitions for spinel

spinel

A hard, variously colored cubic mineral, having usually octahedral crystals and occurring in igneous and metamorphosed carbonate rocks. The red variety is valued as a gem and is sometimes confused with the ruby. Chemical formula: MgAl2O4.

Any of a group of minerals that are oxides of magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, or aluminum.