albite

[ al-bahyt ]

noun

, Mineralogy.

1. the sodium end member of the plagioclase feldspar group, light-colored and found in alkalic igneous rocks.

albite

/ ˈælbaɪt; ælˈbɪtɪk /

noun

1. a colourless, milky-white, yellow, pink, green, or black mineral of the feldspar group and plagioclase series, found in igneous sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. It is used in the manufacture of glass and ceramics. Composition: sodium aluminium silicate. Formula: NaALSi 3 O 8 . Crystal structure: triclinic

albite

/ ăl′bīt′ /

1. A clear to milky white triclinic mineral of the plagioclase group. Albite is common in igneous rocks, especially granite, and in metamorphic rocks that formed at low temperatures. Chemical formula: NaAlSi 3 O 8 .

Derived Forms

• albitic, adjective

Other Words From

• al·bit·ic [al-, bit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of albite¹

1835–45; < Latin alb ( us ) white + -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of albite¹

C19: from Latin albus white

Example Sentences

Some of the trachytic lavas are said to abound with crystals of albite.

From Project Gutenberg

Albite, the sodium felspar, has 68.8 per cent of silica, and the species between this and anorthite are regarded as mixtures of albite and anorthite molecules.

From Project Gutenberg

Practically all varieties of this mineral from anorthite to albite are known to occur in basalt, but by far the commonest species are bytownite and labradorite.

From Project Gutenberg

It depends on the felspar present—i.e., whether it is orthoclase, oligoclase, or albite—whether the soil will be rich in potash or not.

From Project Gutenberg

The albite which the former contains undergoes a rapid decomposition, and yields abundance of soda along with some potash, which is seldom altogether wanting, while the hornblende supplies both lime and magnesia.

From Project Gutenberg