monazite

[ mon-uh-zahyt ]

noun

1. a reddish- or yellowish-brown mineral, a phosphate of cerium and lanthanum, (Ce,La)PO 4 : the principal ore of thorium.

monazite

/ ˈmɒnəˌzaɪt /

noun

1. a yellow to reddish-brown mineral consisting of a phosphate of thorium, cerium, and lanthanum in monoclinic crystalline form

monazite

/ mŏn′ə-zīt′ /

1. A yellow or reddish-brown monoclinic mineral that is a principal ore of several lanthanide (rare-earth) elements. It occurs as tabular crystals in pegmatites, granites, and metamorphic rocks, as well as in sand. Chemical formula: (Ce, La, Nd, Th)PO 4 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of monazite¹

First recorded in 1830–40; from German Monazit, equivalent to monaz- (from Greek monázein “to be alone, live alone”) + -it noun suffix; mon-, -ite ¹ (so called from its rarity)

Word History and Origins

Origin of monazite¹

C19: from German, from Greek monazein to live alone, so called because of its rarity