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. HaĆ¼y 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