quartz
one of the commonest minerals, silicon dioxide, SiO2, having many varieties that differ in color, luster, etc., and occurring either in masses (as agate, bloodstone, chalcedony, jasper, etc.) or in crystals (as rock crystal, amethyst, citrine, etc.): the chief constituent of sand and sandstone, and an important constituent of many other rocks. It is piezoelectric and used to control the frequencies of radio transmitters.
Origin of quartz
1Other words from quartz
- quartz·ose [kwawrt-sohs], /ˈkwɔrt soʊs/, quartz·ous [kwawrt-suhs], /ˈkwɔrt səs/, adjective
Words that may be confused with quartz
- quarts, quartz
Words Nearby quartz
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use quartz in a sentence
By using a new technique, researchers were able to isolate and test tiny samples—like the piece seen here mounted inside a quartz cube—for magnetic evidence.
New Study Suggests Moon Lacked a Magnetic Field for Nearly All Its History | John Tarduno | August 8, 2021 | Singularity HubThe material is produced through an energy-intensive process of reacting silica, or quartz, with carbon in electric furnaces at facilities like Hoshine’s in Piqan, also known as Shanshan county.
Solar industry’s ties to China’s Xinjiang region raise specter of forced labor | Lily Kuo, Pei Lin Wu, Jeanne Whalen | June 24, 2021 | Washington PostGaia responded by inventing the atom, then the elements, and then from them she invented rock and quartz and flint.
They heat up almost instantaneously using quartz or other metals and a reflector to direct heat, though some will implement a fan.
Best space heater: Stay warm in every space, from the garage to the basement | Carsen Joenk | February 18, 2021 | Popular-ScienceInfrared heaters are very similar, using infrared quartz bulbs to generate radiating heat.
Best space heater: Stay warm in every space, from the garage to the basement | Carsen Joenk | February 18, 2021 | Popular-Science
They measured the amount of different isotopes of xenon trapped in quartz crystals.
In 2008, NASA discovered crystals with a similar make-up to quartz surrounding young stars.
Space Bling: From Diamond Planets to Crystal Oceans to Precious Moon Jewels | Alexa Valiente, Jaewon Kang | October 13, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTComposite fillings are typically made of glass or quartz mixed with resins and adhesives.
Can Children's Dental Fillings Spur Depression? | Florence Williams | July 16, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTquartz orange juice and rice with chicken and French fries for lunch and same for dinner.
The plan, however, remains in use to this day in many mines, and is frequently spoken of under the name of quartz-crusher.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis TrevithickA crushing machine, now called "quartz-crusher," also formed part of this additional order.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis Trevithickquartz consists of pure silica, and when in large masses is one of the most indestructible rocks.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry | Thomas AndersonWith the exception of quartz and augite, these names are, however, representatives of different classes of minerals.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry | Thomas AndersonIn general, sand consists of finely broken crystals of silica or quartz.
Outlines of the Earth's History | Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
British Dictionary definitions for quartz
/ (kwɔːts) /
a colourless mineral often tinted by impurities, found in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. It is used in the manufacture of glass, abrasives, and cement, and also as a gemstone; the violet-purple variety is amethyst, the brown variety is cairngorm, the yellow variety is citrine, and the pink variety is rose quartz. Composition: silicon dioxide. Formula: SiO 2 . Crystal structure: hexagonal
short for quartz glass
Origin of quartz
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for quartz
[ kwôrts ]
A hard, transparent trigonal mineral that, after feldspar, is the most common mineral on the surface of the Earth. It occurs as a component of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks as well as in a variety of other forms such as rock crystal, flint, and agate. Some crystalline forms, such as amethyst, are considered gemstones. Chemical formula: SiO2.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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