wavellite

[ wey-vuh-lahyt ]

noun

, Mineralogy.

1. a hydrous aluminum fluorophosphate occurring as white to yellowish-green or brown aggregates of radiating fibers.

wavellite

/ ˈweɪvəˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a greyish-white, yellow, or brown mineral consisting of hydrated basic aluminium phosphate in radiating clusters of small orthorhombic crystals. Formula: Al 3 (PO 4 ) 2 (OH) 3 .5H 2 O

Word History and Origins

Origin of wavellite¹

Named in 1805 after W. Wavell (died 1829), English physician, its discoverer; -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of wavellite¹

C19: named after William Wavell (died 1829), English physician

Example Sentences

A 19th Century Wavell discovered the mineral wavellite.

From Time Magazine Archive