galena

[ guh-lee-nuh ]

noun

1. a common, heavy mineral, lead sulfide, PbS, occurring in lead-gray crystals, usually cubes, and cleavable masses: the principal ore of lead.

galena

/ ɡəˈliːnə; ɡəˈliːnaɪt /

noun

1. a grey mineral, found in hydrothermal veins. It is the chief source of lead. Composition: lead sulphide. Formula: PbS. Crystal structure: cubic

galena

/ gə-lē′nə /

1. A gray, metallic mineral occurring in cube-shaped crystals within veins of igneous rock or in sedimentary rocks. It is the main ore of lead. Chemical formula: PbS.

Word History and Origins

Origin of galena¹

1595–1605; < Latin: lead ore

Word History and Origins

Origin of galena¹

C17: from Latin: lead ore, dross left after melting lead

Example Sentences

And they recovered decorative beads made from copper and galena that likely originated in central North America.

From Science Magazine

Traces of the mineral galena - lead sulphide - a substance that was crushed and mixed with oil as make-up, was found on the site, archaeologists said.

From BBC

Hall said the increase stemmed from a greater concentration of the mineral galena in the mined rock.

From Seattle Times

This corresponds to the spread of Phoenician traders and settlers from their home cities in the Levant into the western Mediterranean, and the consequent exploitation of galena mines in Iberia.

From Economist

The bill would make limestone the state rock, galena the state mineral and jelinite the state gemstone.

From Seattle Times