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Definition of plagioclase - 2 dictionary results

pla⋅gi⋅o⋅clase

[pley-jee-uh-kleys]
–noun
any of the feldspar minerals varying in composition from acidic albite, NaAlSi3O8, to basic anorthite, CaAl2Si2O8, found in most igneous rocks: shows twinning striations on good cleavage surfaces.
Also called soda-lime feldspar.


Origin:
1865–70; plagio- + -clase


pla⋅gi⋅o⋅clas⋅tic [pley-jee-uh-klas-tik] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pla·gi·o·clase   (plā'jē-ə-klās', -klāz', plāj'ē-)   
n.  Any of a common rock-forming series of triclinic feldspars, consisting of mixtures of sodium and calcium aluminum silicates. Also called oligoclase.

[Greek plagio-, plagio- + Greek klasis, breaking (from its oblique cleavage) (from klān, to break).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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