nepheline

[ nef-uh-lin ]

noun

1. a feldspathoid mineral, essentially sodium aluminum silicate, NaAlSiO 4 , occurring in alkali-rich volcanic rocks.

nepheline

/ ˈnɛfɪlɪn; ˈnɛfɪˌlaɪt; -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

Word History and Origins

Origin of nepheline¹

1805–15; < French néphéline, equivalent to néphél- (< Greek nephélē cloud) + -ine -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of nepheline¹

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

Example Sentences

The facial development of crystals of nepheline give no indication of this type of symmetry, and the mineral has been referred to this class solely on the evidence afforded by the etched figures.

From Project Gutenberg

These last consist of an intermixture of nepheline or sodalite and alkali-felspar.

From Project Gutenberg

Leucite and nepheline rocks have been found in various parts of the island, especially in the south-west.

From Project Gutenberg

Some writers held that this mineral has resulted from the decomposition of nepheline; others regard it as a primary mineral.

From Project Gutenberg

Vesuvian lava, glass paste with numerous crystals of leucite; others of augite and nepheline porphyritically developed; also small grains of magnetite.

From Project Gutenberg