illite

[ il-ahyt ]
/ ˈɪl aɪt /

noun

any of a group of clay minerals, hydrous potassium aluminosilicates, characterized by a three-layer micalike structure and a gray, light green, or yellowish-brown color.

Origin of illite

First recorded in 1937; Ill(inois)2 + -ite1

OTHER WORDS FROM illite

il·lit·ic [ih-lit-ik] /ɪˈlɪt ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby illite

illinois, illinois bundleflower, illinois waterway, illinoisan, illiquid, illite, illiteracy, illiterate, illiterati, illness, illocution

British Dictionary definitions for illite

illite
/ (ˈɪlaɪt) /

noun

a clay mineral of the mica group, found in shales and mudstones. Crystal structure: monoclinic. Formula: K 1–1.5 Al 4 (Si 6.5–7 Al 1–1.5 O 20)(OH) 4

Word Origin for illite

C20: named after Illinois, where it was first found