spinel

or spi·nelle

[ spi-nel, spin-l ]

/ spɪˈnɛl, ˈspɪn l /

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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.

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Question 1 of 7

Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?

First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.

First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.

First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.

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Origin of spinel

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

Words nearby spinel

spine, spinebash, spine-bashing, spine-chiller, spine-chilling, spinel, spineless, spinel ruby, spine of scapula, spinescent, spinet

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for spinel

The rock—which also contains the plain-old mineral plagioclase—includes pink spinel, a prized jewel on Earth.
Space Bling: From Diamond Planets to Crystal Oceans to Precious Moon Jewels|Alexa Valiente, Jaewon Kang|October 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The rubies of Burma are found in crystalline limestones and are constantly accompanied by precious spinel (or balas-ruby).
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 6|Various
Some of the alumina and iron oxide may occasionally be chemically combined, so as to form an iron spinel, or hercynite.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3|Various
Then follows the topaz, which, with spinel and chrysoberyl, has a hardness of 8; whilst quartz falls a degree lower.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 5|Various

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
The spinel and ruby occur together in nature, stones from Burma being as often spinel as true Oriental ruby.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 5|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.

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spinel

or spi·nelle

noun

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!

Origin of spinel

Words nearby spinel

Example sentences from the Web for spinel

British Dictionary definitions for spinel

noun

Word Origin for spinel

Scientific definitions for spinel