pyroxene

[ pahy-rok-seen, puh-, pahy-rok-seen ]
/ paɪˈrɒk sin, pə-, ˈpaɪ rɒkˌsin /

noun

any of a very common group of minerals of many varieties, silicates of magnesium, iron, calcium, and other elements, occurring as important constituents of many kinds of rocks, especially basic igneous rocks.
Compare augite, diopside, hypersthene.

Origin of pyroxene

1790–1800; < French; see pyro-, xeno-; orig. supposed to be a foreign substance when found in igneous rocks

OTHER WORDS FROM pyroxene

py·rox·en·ic [pahy-rok-sen-ik] /ˌpaɪ rɒkˈsɛn ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby pyroxene

pyrotechnics, pyrotechnist, pyrotic, pyrotoxin, pyrotraumatic dermatitis, pyroxene, pyroxenite, pyroxylin, pyrrha, pyrrhic, pyrrhic victory

Example sentences from the Web for pyroxene

British Dictionary definitions for pyroxene

pyroxene
/ (paɪˈrɒksiːn) /

noun

any of a group of silicate minerals having the general formula ABSi 2 O 6, where A is usually calcium, sodium, magnesium, or iron, and B is usually magnesium, iron, chromium, manganese, or aluminium. Pyroxenes occur in basic igneous rocks and some metamorphic rocks, and have colours ranging from white to dark green or black. They may be monoclinic (clinopyroxenes) or orthorhombic (orthopyroxenes) in crystal structure. Examples are augite (the most important pyroxene), diopside, enstatite, hypersthene, and jadeite

Derived forms of pyroxene

pyroxenic (ˌpaɪrɒkˈsɛnɪk), adjective

Word Origin for pyroxene

C19: pyro- + -xene from Greek xenos foreign, because it was mistakenly thought to have originated elsewhere when found in igneous rocks

Scientific definitions for pyroxene

pyroxene
[ pī-rŏk′sēn′ ]

Any of a series of dark silicate minerals having the general chemical formula ABSi2O6, where A is either calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), or iron (Fe), and B is either magnesium, iron, chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), or aluminum (Al). Pyroxenes vary in color from white to dark green or black and are characterized by a rectangular-shaped cross section. They can be either monoclinic or orthorhombic and occur in igneous and metamorphic rocks. The minerals enstatite, diopside, and augite are pyroxenes.