Adjacent Words

sphalerite definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: an ore that is the chief source of zinc; consists largely of zinc sulfide in crystalline form [syn: zinc blende, blende, sphalerite]

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: German Sphalerit, from Greek sphaleros deceitful, from sphallein to cause to fall; from its often being mistaken for galena — more at spill Date: circa 1868 a mineral composed essentially of zinc sulfide that is the most important ore of zinc — called also zinc blende

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. = BLENDE. Etymology: Gk sphaleros deceptive: cf. BLENDE

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Sphalerite Sphal"er*ite, n. [Gr. ??? slippery, uncertain. See Blende.] (Min.) Zinc sulphide; -- called also blende, black-jack, false galena, etc. See Blende (a) .

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Blende Blende, n. [G., fr. blenden to blind, dazzle, deceive, fr. blind blind. So called either in allusion to its dazzling luster; or (Dana) because, though often resembling galena, it yields no lead. Cf. Sphalerite.] (Min.) (a) A mineral, called also sphalerite, and by miners mock lead, false galena, and black-jack. It is a zinc sulphide, but often contains some iron. Its color is usually yellow, brown, or black, and its luster resinous. (b) A general term for some minerals, chiefly metallic sulphides which have a somewhat brilliant but nonmetallic luster.