spi·nel also spi·nelle (sp -n l )n. 1. A hard, variously colored mineral with composition MgAl2O4, having usually octahedral crystals and occurring in igneous and carbonate rocks. The red variety is valued as a gem and is sometimes confused with ruby. 2. Any of a group of minerals that are oxides of magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, or aluminum. [Italian spinella, diminutive of spina, thorn (from its sharply pointed crystals), from Latin sp  na.] |
spinel [spɪˈnɛl]
n
1. (Earth Sciences / Minerals) any of a group of hard glassy minerals of variable colour consisting of oxides of aluminium, magnesium, chromium, iron, zinc, or manganese and occurring in the form of octahedral crystals: used as gemstones
2. (Earth Sciences / Minerals) a hard, glassy mineral composed of magnesium-aluminium oxide found in metamorphosed limestones and many basic and ultrabasic igneous rocks. Formula: MgAl2O4
[from French spinelle, from Italian spinella, diminutive of spina a thorn, from Latin; so called from the shape of the crystals]
| spinel also spinelle (sp-nl) 1. A hard, variously colored cubic mineral, having usually octahedral crystals and occurring in igneous and metamorphosed carbonate rocks. The red variety is valued as a gem and is sometimes confused with the ruby. Chemical formula: MgAl2O4. 2. Any of a group of minerals that are oxides of magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, or aluminum. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | spinel - a hard glassy mineral consisting of an oxide of magnesium and aluminum; occurs in various colors that are used as gemstones atomic number 12, magnesium, Mg - a light silver-white ductile bivalent metallic element; in pure form it burns with brilliant white flame; occurs naturally only in combination (as in magnesite and dolomite and carnallite and spinel and olivine) mineral - solid homogeneous inorganic substances occurring in nature having a definite chemical composition ruby spinel, spinel ruby - a spinel used as a gemstone (usually dark red) |
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