nepheline

[ nef-uh-lin ]

noun
  1. a feldspathoid mineral, essentially sodium aluminum silicate, NaAlSiO4, occurring in alkali-rich volcanic rocks.

Origin of nepheline

1
1805–15; <French néphéline, equivalent to néphél- (<Greek nephélē cloud) + -ine-ine2
  • Also neph·e·lite [nef-uh-lahyt]. /ˈnɛf əˌlaɪt/.

Words Nearby nepheline

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British Dictionary definitions for nepheline

nepheline

nephelite (ˈnɛfɪˌlaɪt)

/ (ˈnɛfɪlɪn, -ˌliːn) /


noun
  1. a whitish mineral consisting of sodium potassium aluminium silicate in hexagonal crystalline form: used in the manufacture of glass and ceramics. Formula: (Na,K)(AlSi) 2 O 4

Origin of nepheline

1
C19: from French néphéline, from Greek nephelē cloud, so called because pieces of it become cloudy if dipped in nitric acid

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