uraninite

[ yoo-ran-uh-nahyt, -rey-nuh- ]

noun

1. a mineral, probably originally uranium dioxide, UO 2 , but altered by radioactive decay, and usually containing uranium trioxide, lead, radium, and helium, occurring in several varieties, including pitchblende: the most important ore of uranium.

uraninite

/ jʊˈrænɪˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a blackish heavy radioactive mineral consisting of uranium oxide in cubic crystalline form together with radium, lead, helium, etc: occurs in coarse granite. Formula: UO 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of uraninite¹

First recorded in 1875–80; uran(ium) + -in ² + -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of uraninite¹

C19: see uranium , -in , -ite ¹

Example Sentences

There were two other mines that produced the same uraninite ore as the one at which Hanlon was stationed.

From Project Gutenberg