galena

[ guh-lee-nuh ]
/ gəˈli nə /

noun

a common, heavy mineral, lead sulfide, PbS, occurring in lead-gray crystals, usually cubes, and cleavable masses: the principal ore of lead.
Also called ga·le·nite [guh-lee-nahyt] /gəˈli naɪt/.

Origin of galena

1595–1605; < Latin: lead ore

Example sentences from the Web for galena

British Dictionary definitions for galena

galena

galenite (ɡəˈliːnaɪt)

/ (ɡəˈliːnə) /

noun

a grey mineral, found in hydrothermal veins. It is the chief source of lead. Composition: lead sulphide. Formula: PbS. Crystal structure: cubic

Word Origin for galena

C17: from Latin: lead ore, dross left after melting lead

Scientific definitions for galena

galena
[ gə-lēnə ]

A gray, metallic mineral occurring in cube-shaped crystals within veins of igneous rock or in sedimentary rocks. It is the main ore of lead. Chemical formula: PbS.