nepheline

[ nef-uh-lin ]
/ ˈnɛf ə lɪn /

noun

a feldspathoid mineral, essentially sodium aluminum silicate, NaAlSiO4, occurring in alkali-rich volcanic rocks.
Also neph·e·lite [nef-uh-lahyt] /ˈnɛf əˌlaɪt/.

Origin of nepheline

1805–15; < French néphéline, equivalent to néphél- (< Greek nephélē cloud) + -ine -ine2

Words nearby nepheline

Example sentences from the Web for nepheline

British Dictionary definitions for nepheline

nepheline

nephelite (ˈnɛfɪˌlaɪt)

/ (ˈnɛfɪlɪn, -ˌliːn) /

noun

a whitish mineral consisting of sodium potassium aluminium silicate in hexagonal crystalline form: used in the manufacture of glass and ceramics. Formula: (Na,K)(AlSi) 2 O 4

Word Origin for nepheline

C19: from French néphéline, from Greek nephelē cloud, so called because pieces of it become cloudy if dipped in nitric acid