phenacite
[ fen-uh-sahyt ]
noun
a rare vitreous mineral, beryllium silicate, Be2SiO4, occurring in crystals, sometimes used as a gem.
Origin of phenacite
1- Also phen·a·kite [fen-uh-kahyt]. /ˈfɛn əˌkaɪt/.
Words Nearby phenacite
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use phenacite in a sentence
The largest phenacite crystal ever found is owned by Mr. Whitman Cross.
British Dictionary definitions for phenacite
phenacite
phenakite (ˈfɛnəˌkaɪt)
/ (ˈfɛnəˌsaɪt) /
noun
a colourless or white glassy mineral consisting of beryllium silicate in hexagonal crystalline form: occurs in veins in granite. Formula: Be 2 SiO 4
Origin of phenacite
1C19: from Greek phenax a cheat, because of its deceptive resemblance to quartz
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
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