staurolite

[ stawr-uh-lahyt ]

noun
  1. a mineral, basic iron aluminum silicate, Fe2Al2O7(SiO4)4(OH), occurring in brown to black prismatic crystals, which are often twinned in the form of a cross.

Origin of staurolite

1
1790–1800; <Greek stauró(s) a cross + -lite

Other words from staurolite

  • stau·ro·lit·ic [stawr-uh-lit-ik], /ˌstɔr əˈlɪt ɪk/, adjective

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British Dictionary definitions for staurolite

staurolite

/ (ˈstɔːrəˌlaɪt) /


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

Origin of staurolite

1
C19: from Greek stauros a cross + -lite

Derived forms of staurolite

  • staurolitic (ˌstɔːrəˈlɪtɪk), adjective

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 staurolite

staurolite

[ stourə-līt′ ]


  1. A brownish to black orthorhombic mineral, often having crossed intergrown crystals and found in mica schists and gneisses. Chemical formula: (FeMg)2Al9Si4O23(OH).

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