HORNBLENDE

hornblende

(noun) a green to black mineral of the amphibole group; consists of silicates of calcium and sodium and magnesium and iron

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

hornblende (countable and uncountable, plural hornblendes)

(mineral) A green to black amphibole mineral, of complex structure, formed in the late stages of cooling in igneous rock.

Source: Wiktionary

Horn"blende`, n. Etym: [G., fr. horn horn + blende blende.] (Min.)

Definition: The common black, or dark green or brown, variety of amphibole. (See Amphibole.) It belongs to the aluminous division of the species, and is also characterized by its containing considerable iron. Also used as a general term to include the whole species. Hornblende schist (Geol.), a hornblende rock of schistose structure.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition