willemite

American  

[wil-uh-mahyt] / ˈwɪl əˌmaɪt /

noun

1. a mineral, a zinc silicate, Zn 2 SiO 4 , sometimes containing manganese, occurring in prismatic crystals or granular masses, usually greenish, sometimes white, brown, or red: a minor ore of zinc.

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willemite British  

/ ˈwɪləˌmaɪt /

noun

1. a secondary mineral consisting of zinc silicate in hexagonal crystalline form. It is white, colourless, or coloured by impurities and is found in veins of zinc ore. Formula: Zn 2 SiO 4

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Etymology

Origin of willemite

First recorded in 1835–45; named after Willem I (1772–1843) king of the Netherlands (1815–40) + -ite ¹