Amphibole

[æmfibәul]

Definition

(noun.) a mineral or mineral variety belonging to the amphibole group.

Checked by Clifton--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) A common mineral embracing many varieties varying in color and in composition. It occurs in monoclinic crystals; also massive, generally with fibrous or columnar structure. The color varies from white to gray, green, brown, and black. It is a silicate of magnesium and calcium, with usually aluminium and iron. Some common varieties are tremolite, actinolite, asbestus, edenite, hornblende (the last name being also used as a general term for the whole species). Amphibole is a constituent of many crystalline rocks, as syenite, diorite, most varieties of trachyte, etc. See Hornblende.

Checked by Klaus

Definition

n. the name of a group of minerals which are essentially silicates of lime and magnesia but these bases are often partly replaced by alumina and oxides of iron and manganese—tremolite nephrite (jade) and hornblende.

Typed by Leigh