tourmaline

[ too r-muh-lin, -leen ]
/ ˈtʊər mə lɪn, -ˌlin /

noun

any of a group of silicate minerals of complex composition, containing boron, aluminum, etc., usually black but having various colored, transparent varieties used as gems.
Also tour·ma·lin [too r-muh-lin] /ˈtʊər mə lɪn/, turmaline.

Origin of tourmaline

1750–60; earlier tourmalin < German Turmalin, ultimately < Sinhalese tōramalliya carnelian; see -in2

OTHER WORDS FROM tourmaline

tour·ma·lin·ic [too r-muh-lin-ik] /ˌtʊər məˈlɪn ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby tourmaline

tourist trap, tourista, touristic, touristry, touristy, tourmaline, tournai, tournament, tournedos, tourneur, tourney

Example sentences from the Web for tourmaline

British Dictionary definitions for tourmaline

tourmaline
/ (ˈtʊəməˌliːn) /

noun

any of a group of hard glassy minerals of variable colour consisting of complex borosilicates of aluminium with quantities of lithium, sodium, calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium in hexagonal crystalline form: used in optical and electrical equipment and in jewellery

Derived forms of tourmaline

tourmalinic (ˌtʊəməˈlɪnɪk), adjective

Word Origin for tourmaline

C18: from German Turmalin, from Sinhalese toramalli carnelian

Scientific definitions for tourmaline

tourmaline
[ tur′mə-lĭn, -lēn′ ]

Any of several minerals having the general chemical formula (Na,Ca)(Mg,Fe,Al,Li)3Al6(BO3)3Si6O18(OH)4. Tourmaline occurs in many different translucent colors, usually in crystals shaped like 3-, 6-, or 9-sided prisms. It occurs in igneous and metamorphic rocks, especially in pegmatites.