silica
[ sil-i-kuh ]
/ ˈsɪl ɪ kə /
noun
the dioxide form of silicon, SiO2, occurring especially as quartz sand, flint, and agate: used usually in the form of its prepared white powder chiefly in the manufacture of glass, water glass, ceramics, and abrasives.
Also called
silicon dioxide.
Origin of silica
1795–1805; < New Latin, derivative of Latin
silex
silex
Words nearby silica
silenus,
silesia,
silesian,
silex,
silhouette,
silica,
silica gel,
silica glass,
silicate,
silicates,
silicatosis
Example sentences from the Web for silica
British Dictionary definitions for silica
silica
/ (ˈsɪlɪkə) /
noun
the dioxide of silicon, occurring naturally as quartz, cristobalite, and tridymite. It is a refractory insoluble material used in the manufacture of glass, ceramics, and abrasives
short for silica glass
Word Origin for silica
C19: New Latin, from Latin:
silex
Medical definitions for silica
silica
[ sĭl′ĭ-kə ]
n.
A crystalline compound occurring abundantly as quartz, sand, and many other minerals and used to manufacture a variety of materials, especially glass and concrete.
Scientific definitions for silica
silica
[ sĭl′ĭ-kə ]
A chemical compound that is the main constituent of most of the Earth's rocks. Silica occurs naturally in five crystalline forms (quartz, tridymite, cristobalite, coesite, and stishovite), in a cryptocrystalline form (chalcedony), and in an amorphous form (opal). It is also the main chemical compound in sand. Silica is used to make glass, concrete, and other materials. Also called silicon dioxide. Chemical formula: SiO2.