feldspar
[ feld-spahr, fel- ]
/ ˈfɛldˌspɑr, ˈfɛl- /
noun
any of a group of minerals, principally aluminosilicates of potassium, sodium, and calcium, characterized by two cleavages at nearly right angles: one of the most important constituents of igneous rocks.
Also
felspar.
Origin of feldspar
Words nearby feldspar
feisty,
felafel,
feldene,
feldenkrais method,
feldsher,
feldspar,
feldspathic,
feldspathoid,
felice,
felicia,
felicific
Example sentences from the Web for feldspar
British Dictionary definitions for feldspar
feldspar
felspar
/ (ˈfɛldˌspɑː, ˈfɛlˌspɑː) /
noun
any of a group of hard rock-forming minerals consisting of aluminium silicates of potassium, sodium, calcium, or barium: the principal constituents of igneous rocks. The group includes orthoclase, microcline, and the plagioclase minerals
Derived forms of feldspar
feldspathic (fɛldˈspæθɪk, fɛlˈspæθ-), felspathic, feldspathose or felspathose, adjectiveWord Origin for feldspar
C18: from German
feldspat (
h), from
feld field +
spat (
h)
spar ³
Scientific definitions for feldspar
feldspar
[ fĕld′spär′, fĕl′- ]
Any of a group of abundant monoclinic or triclinic minerals having the general formula MAl(Al,Si)3O8, where M is either potassium (K), sodium (Na), or calcium (Ca) or less commonly barium (Ba), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), or iron (Fe). Feldspars range from white, pink, or brown to grayish blue in color. They occur in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks and make up more than 60 percent of the Earth's crust. When they decompose, feldspars form clay or the mineral kaolinite.