apophyllite

[ uh-pof-uh-lahyt, ap-uh-fil-ahyt ]

noun

1. a hydrous potassium and calcium silicate mineral occurring in white crystals.

apophyllite

/ əˈpɒfɪˌlaɪt; ˌæpəˈfɪlaɪt /

noun

1. a white, colourless, pink, or green mineral consisting of a hydrated silicate of calcium, potassium, and fluorine in tetragonal crystalline form. It occurs in cracks in volcanic rocks. Formula: KCa 4 (Si 4 O 10 ) 2 (OH 1 F).8H 2 O

Word History and Origins

Origin of apophyllite¹

First recorded in 1800–10; apo- + -phyll + -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of apophyllite¹

C19: from French, from apo- + Greek phullon leaf + -ite ¹; referring to its tendency to exfoliate

Example Sentences

Also some tetragonal and hexagonal crystals, e.g. apophyllite, vesuvianite, beryl, &c., which should normally be optically uniaxial, sometimes consist of several biaxial portions arranged in sectors or in a quite irregular manner.

From Project Gutenberg

Examples of substances which crystallize in this class are cassiterite, rutile, anatase, zircon, thorite, vesuvianite, apophyllite, phosgenite, also boron, tin, mercuric iodide.

From Project Gutenberg

When heated before the blowpipe, the mineral exfoliates, owing to loss of water, and on this account was named apophyllite by R.J.

From Project Gutenberg

Apophyllite is a mineral of secondary origin, commonly occurring, in association with other zeolites, in amygdaloidal cavities in basalt and melaphyre.

From Project Gutenberg

Apophyllite always occurs as distinct crystals, which belong to the tetragonal system.

From Project Gutenberg