smectite

[ smek-tahyt ]

noun

, Mineralogy.

1. montmorillonite.

smectite

/ ˈsmɛktaɪt /

noun

1. any of a group of clay minerals of which montmorillonite and saponite are members

Word History and Origins

Origin of smectite¹

1805–15; < Greek smēkt ( ós ) smeared + -ite ¹