hypersthene

[ hahy-pers-theen ]

nounMineralogy.
  1. a dark iron magnesium silicate, an orthorhombic pyroxene containing more than 14 percent ferrous oxide.

Origin of hypersthene

1
1800–10; hyper- + Greek sthénos strength, might; replacing hyperstene<French hyperstène

Other words from hypersthene

  • hy·per·sthen·ic [hahy-pers-then-ik], /ˌhaɪ pərsˈθɛn ɪk/, adjective

Words Nearby hypersthene

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How to use hypersthene in a sentence

  • In the same flow hypersthene-andesite may occur in one portion, while in close proximity the lava is an augite-andesite.

    Mount Rainier | Various
  • It may be noted also that hypersthene shows a tendency to magmatic alteration, although only rarely.

    Mount Rainier | Various
  • Both are light colored, and the pleochroism of the hypersthene is sometimes quite faint.

    Mount Rainier | Various
  • It also surrounds olivine in this same rock, which is a hypersthene-andesite, the hornblende and olivine being only accessory.

    Mount Rainier | Various
  • hypersthene is not the prevailing pyroxene, and olivine is usually present, often in such abundance as to make the rock a basalt.

    Mount Rainier | Various

British Dictionary definitions for hypersthene

hypersthene

/ (ˈhaɪpəˌsθiːn) /


noun
  1. a green, brown, or black pyroxene mineral consisting of magnesium iron silicate in orthorhombic crystalline form. Formula: (Mg,Fe) 2 Si 2 O 6

Origin of hypersthene

1
C19: from hyper- + Greek sthenos strength

Derived forms of hypersthene

  • hypersthenic (ˌhaɪpəˈsθɛnɪk), adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012