[kwawrts] 
| 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. |
[kwawrt-sohs] , quartz⋅ous [kwawrt-suhs] , adjective quartz (kwôrts)
n.
A very hard crystalline form of silicon dioxide used in chemical apparatus and in optical and electric instruments.
| quartz (kwôrts) Pronunciation Key
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. |