staurolite

[stawr-uh-lahyt]

noun

1. a mineral, basic iron aluminum silicate, Fe 2 Al 2 O 7 (SiO4 ) 4 (OH), occurring in brown to black prismatic crystals, which are often twinned in the form of a cross.

staurolite

/ ˈstɔːrəˌlaɪt, ˌstɔːrəˈlɪtɪk /

noun

1. a brown glassy mineral consisting of iron aluminium silicate in the form of prismatic crystals: used as a gemstone. Formula: Fe 2 Al 9 Si 4 O 11 (OH) 2

staurolite

1. A brownish to black orthorhombic mineral, often having crossed intergrown crystals and found in mica schists and gneisses. Chemical formula: (FeMg) ₂ Al ₉ Si ₄ O ₂₃ (OH).

Other Word Forms

• staurolitic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of staurolite¹

1790–1800; < Greek stauró ( s ) a cross + -lite

Word History and Origins

Origin of staurolite¹

C19: from Greek stauros a cross + _-lite

Example Sentences

Onofre’s three-legged shepherd leaped to the ground as the Staurolite Baron slammed the door, and, with a triumphant grin riding on his face like a soaring hawk, Onofre pulled out the driver’s side windshield wiper, making it that much easier for Bernabe to slide his ticket into place.

Read more on Literature

At least twice a week, during dry spring, summer, and autumn days, Onofre loaded his truck with grandchildren and great-grandchildren and barreled up one canyon or another to hillsides positively reeking of pulverized rocks among which a diligent kid, given four or five hours and a dime per salable staurolite, could usually find at least a dozen of the lovely little curiosities.

Read more on Literature

Joe and Nancy Mondragon were hunched over beers at the bar; the Staurolite Baron, Onofre Martinez, was hunched over the pay pool table quietly shooting up a rack; and Tranquilino Jeantete was hunched in his wooden chair behind the bar.

Read more on Literature

At the Chateau Martinez, the Staurolite Baron slumped onto his piano stool and played a walking boogie-woogie bass with his left hand and some jazzy treble runs with his nonexistent right hand, while the ghost of Pacheco’s pig, whose inessential form had finally managed to pass through the white picket fence surrounding the Martinez digs, started eating Onofre’s Astroturf lawn and his plastic garden flowers.

Read more on Literature

Onofre’s prominence in this trade had long ago earned him the title of the Staurolite Baron.

Read more on Literature