pitchblende

[ pich-blend ]
/ ˈpɪtʃˌblɛnd /

noun Mineralogy.

a massive variety of uraninite, occurring in black pitchlike masses: a major ore of uranium and radium.

Origin of pitchblende

1760–70; half translation, half adoption of German Pechblende. See pitch2, blende

Words nearby pitchblende

pitch-black, pitch-cone angle, pitch-dark, pitch-faced, pitchbend, pitchblende, pitched battle, pitched battle, a, pitcher, pitcher plant, pitcherful

Example sentences from the Web for pitchblende

British Dictionary definitions for pitchblende

pitchblende
/ (ˈpɪtʃˌblɛnd) /

noun

a blackish mineral that is a type of uraninite and occurs in veins, frequently associated with silver: the principal source of uranium and radium. Formula: UO 2

Word Origin for pitchblende

C18: partial translation of German Pechblende, from Pech pitch ² (from its black colour) + blende

Scientific definitions for pitchblende

pitchblende
[ pĭch′blĕnd′ ]

A brown to black, often crusty, cubic mineral that is a principal ore of uranium. It is highly radioactive. Chemical formula: UO2.