bytownite

[ bahy-tou-nahyt ]

noun

1. a blue to dark-gray mineral near the anorthite end of the plagioclase feldspar group.

bytownite

/ bī-tou′nīt /

1. A bluish to dark gray triclinic mineral of the plagioclase feldspar group that contains a higher proportion of calcium than sodium. Bytownite occurs in alkaline igneous rocks. Chemical formula: (Ca,Na)(Si,Al) 4 O 8 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of bytownite¹

1865–70; named after Bytown (old name of Ottawa, Canada), where first found; -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Of their minerals felspar Is usually the most abundant, and is principally labradorite and bytownite, though anorthite occurs in some, while oligoclase and orthoclase have been found in others.

From Project Gutenberg

These intermediate members are the lime-soda felspars known as oligoclase, andesine, labradorite and bytownite.

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

Isolated crystals of bytownite bounded by well-defined faces are unknown.

From Project Gutenberg