AMPHIBOLE

amphibole

(noun) a mineral or mineral variety belonging to the amphibole group

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

amphibole (plural amphiboles)

(mineral) Any of a large group of structurally similar hydrated double silicate minerals, containing various combinations of sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and aluminium/aluminum

Source: Wiktionary

Am"phi*bole, n. Etym: [Gr. amphibole. Haüy so named the genus from the great variety of color and composition assumed by the mineral.] (Min.)

Definition: A common mineral embracing many varieties varying in color and in composition. It occurs in monoclinic crystals; also massive, generally with fibrous or columnar structure. The color varies from white to gray, green, brown, and black. It is a silicate of magnesium and calcium, with usually aluminium and iron. Some common varieties are tremolite, actinolite, asbestus, edenite, hornblende (the last name being also used as a general term for the whole species). Amphibole is a constituent of many crystalline rocks, as syenite, diorite, most varieties of trachyte, etc. See Hornblende.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition