bentonite

[ ben-tn-ahyt ]
/ ˈbɛn tnˌaɪt /

noun Mineralogy.

a clay formed by the decomposition of volcanic ash, having the ability to absorb large quantities of water and to expand to several times its normal volume.

Origin of bentonite

1895–1900; named after Fort Benton, Montana; see -ite1

OTHER WORDS FROM bentonite

ben·ton·it·ic [ben-tn-it-ik] /ˌbɛn tnˈɪt ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby bentonite

bentiromide test, bentley, bento, benton, benton harbor, bentonite, bentonite flocculation test, bentwood, benu, benue, benue-congo

Example sentences from the Web for bentonite

  • Sodium sulphate and bentonite are two of the more recent mineral discoveries in North Dakota.

    North Dakota |Various

British Dictionary definitions for bentonite

bentonite
/ (ˈbɛntəˌnaɪt) /

noun

a valuable clay, formed by the decomposition of volcanic ash, that swells as it absorbs water: used as a filler in the building, paper, and pharmaceutical industries

Word Origin for bentonite

C19: from Fort Benton, Montana, USA, where found, + -ite 1