uraninite

[ yoo-ran-uh-nahyt, -rey-nuh- ]

noun

1. a mineral, probably originally uranium dioxide, UO 2 , but altered by radioactive decay, and usually containing uranium trioxide, lead, radium, and helium, occurring in several varieties, including pitchblende: the most important ore of uranium.

uraninite

/ jʊˈrænɪˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a blackish heavy radioactive mineral consisting of uranium oxide in cubic crystalline form together with radium, lead, helium, etc: occurs in coarse granite. Formula: UO 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of uraninite¹

First recorded in 1875–80; uran(ium) + -in ² + -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of uraninite¹

C19: see uranium , -in , -ite ¹

Example Sentences

H. Miers drew Ramsay’s attention to the work of W. F. Hillebrand, who had noticed, in examining the mineral uraninite, that an inert gas was evolved when the mineral was decomposed with acid.

From Project Gutenberg

On the occurrence of nitrogen in uraninite, and on the composition of uraninite in general. 38pp.

From Project Gutenberg

There were two other mines that produced the same uraninite ore as the one at which Hanlon was stationed.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1896 Ramsay at last succeeded in separating helium, recognized by the same yellow line in its spectrum, in minute quantities from the mineral uraninite.

From Project Gutenberg

Pitchblende or uraninite is an intensely black mineral of a specific gravity of 9.5 and is found in commercial quantities in Bohemia, Cornwall in England and some other localities.

From Project Gutenberg