olivine

[ ol-uh-veen, ol-uh-veen ]

noun

1. Mineralogy. any of a group of magnesium iron silicates, (Mg,Fe) 2 SiO 4 , occurring in olive-green to gray-green masses as an important constituent of basic igneous rocks.

olivine

/ ˌɒlɪˈviːn; ˈɒlɪˌviːn /

noun

1. an olive-green mineral of the olivine group, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks. The clear-green variety (peridot) is used as a gemstone. Composition: magnesium iron silicate. Formula: (MgFe) 2 SiO 4 . Crystal structure: orthorhombic Also calledchrysolite
2. any mineral in the group having the general formula (Mg,Fe,Mn,Ca) 2 SiO 4

olivine

/ ŏl′ə-vēn′ /

1. An olive-green to brownish-green orthorhombic mineral. Olivine is a common mineral in the igneous rocks, such as basalt and gabbro, that make up most of the Earth's crust beneath the oceans. Chemical formula: (Mg,Fe) 2 SiO 4 .
2. ◆ Olivine in which the mafic component consists entirely of magnesium is called forsterite . Chemical formula: Mg 2 SiO 4 .
3. ◆ Olivine in which the mafic component consists entirely of iron is called fayalite . Chemical formula: Fe 2 SiO 4 .

Other Words From

• ol·i·vin·ic [ol-, uh, -, vin, -ik], ol·i·vin·it·ic [ol-, uh, -vi-, nit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of olivine¹

1785–95; < German Olivin, equivalent to Olive olive + -in -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of olivine¹

C18: from German, named after its colour

Example Sentences

On Earth, basalts are a main component of the planet's crust, especially under the oceans, while olivines are abundant in its mantle.

From Science Daily

They are produced in a number of ways but the main process involves the interaction of ground water with iron-rich minerals such as olivine.

From BBC

One, Project Vesta, in 2022 spread an alkaline mineral called olivine on a Long Island beach to test whether that would result in more alkaline waters as waves wash the material out to sea.

From Science Magazine

The carbonates suggested changes in water content that fit the primitive composition, while the olivine is a product of thermal decomposition of phyllosilicates at extreme temperatures.

From Science Daily

However, in those cases they had been more complex, magnesium-rich crystals of olivine and pyroxene.

From Scientific American