sillimanite

[ sil-uh-muh-nahyt ]
/ ˈsɪl ə məˌnaɪt /

noun

a mineral, aluminum silicate, Al2SiO5, occurring in the form of long, slender, and often fibrous crystals.
Also called fibrolite.

Origin of sillimanite

1825–30; named after B. Silliman; see -ite1

Words nearby sillimanite

Example sentences from the Web for sillimanite

British Dictionary definitions for sillimanite

sillimanite
/ (ˈsɪlɪməˌnaɪt) /

noun

a white, brown, or green fibrous mineral that consists of aluminium silicate in orthorhombic crystalline form and occurs in metamorphic rocks. Formula: Al 2 SiO 5

Word Origin for sillimanite

C19: named after Benjamin Silliman (1779–1864), US chemist

Scientific definitions for sillimanite

sillimanite
[ sĭlə-mə-nīt′ ]

A usually white, pale-green or brown orthorhombic mineral occurring as long, slender, fibrous crystals in metamorphic rocks. It is a polymorph of andalusite and kyanite, but can form at higher temperatures than either of these. Chemical formula: Al2SiO5.