allophane

[ al-uh-feyn ]
/ ˈæl əˌfeɪn /

noun

a clay mineral, an amorphous hydrous silicate of aluminum, occurring in blue, green, or yellow, resinous to earthy masses.

Origin of allophane

1835–45; < Greek allophanḗs, equivalent to allo- allo- + phan- (stem of phaínesthai to appear) + -ēs adj. suffix

British Dictionary definitions for allophane

allophane
/ (ˈæləˌfeɪn) /

noun

a variously coloured amorphous mineral consisting of hydrated aluminium silicate and occurring in cracks in some sedimentary rocks

Word Origin for allophane

C19: from Greek allophanēs appearing differently, from allo- + phainesthai to appear