hornblende

[ hawrn-blend ]

noun

1. a dark-green to black mineral of the amphibole group, calcium magnesium iron and hydroxyl aluminosilicate.

hornblende

/ ˈhɔːnˌblɛnd /

noun

1. a black or greenish-black mineral of the amphibole group, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks. Composition: calcium magnesium iron sodium aluminium aluminosilicate. General formula: (Ca,Na) 2.3 (Mg,Fe,Al) 5 Si 6 (Si,Al) 2 O 22 (OH) 2

hornblende

/ hôrn′blĕnd′ /

1. A common, green to black mineral of the amphibole group. It has a variable composition and occurs in monoclinic crystals with a hexagonal cross-section, in fibrous forms, or in granular forms. Hornblende is found in many metamorphic and igneous rocks. Chemical formula: (Ca,Na) 2-3 (Mg,Fe,Al) 5 (Al,Si) 8 O 22 (OH) 22 .

Derived Forms

• ˌhornˈblendic, adjective

Other Words From

• horn·blendic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hornblende¹

From German, dating back to 1760–70; horn, blende

Word History and Origins

Origin of hornblende¹

C18: from German Horn horn + blende

Example Sentences

More rare Crowsfoot schist—ancient lava stone—may have garnets and feldspar as well as hornblende crystal inclusions.

From Wall Street Journal

He had some very fine teacups of agate and hornblende schist with finely chased silver covers, which I admired very much.

From Project Gutenberg

Outside in the wind the black hornblende sphinx kept watch on those who came and went, mourning for their departed.

From Project Gutenberg

A mineral of the hornblende group, of a yellowish gray or clove brown color.

From Project Gutenberg

The dark-coloured porphyritic crystals of basalts are known as basaltic hornblende.

From Project Gutenberg