monazite

[ mon-uh-zahyt ]
/ ˈmɒn əˌzaɪt /

noun

a reddish- or yellowish-brown mineral, a phosphate of cerium and lanthanum, (Ce,La)PO4: the principal ore of thorium.

Origin of monazite

1830–40; < German Monazit, equivalent to monaz- (< Greek monázein to be alone; see mon-) + -it -ite1

Words nearby monazite

monatomic, monaul, monaural, monaural diplacusis, monaxial, monazite, monck, monclova, moncton, mond process, mondain

British Dictionary definitions for monazite

monazite
/ (ˈmɒnəˌzaɪt) /

noun

a yellow to reddish-brown mineral consisting of a phosphate of thorium, cerium, and lanthanum in monoclinic crystalline form

Word Origin for monazite

C19: from German, from Greek monazein to live alone, so called because of its rarity

Scientific definitions for monazite

monazite
[ mŏn′ə-zīt′ ]

A yellow or reddish-brown monoclinic mineral that is a principal ore of several lanthanide (rare-earth) elements. It occurs as tabular crystals in pegmatites, granites, and metamorphic rocks, as well as in sand. Chemical formula: (Ce, La, Nd, Th)PO4.