amphibole

am·phi·bole  (mf-bl)

n.

Any of a large group of structurally similar hydrated double silicate minerals, such as hornblende, containing various combinations of sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and aluminum.

---

[French, from Late Latin amphibolus, ambiguous, from Greek amphibolos, doubtful, from amphiballein, to throw on either side : amphi-, amphi- + ballein, to throw; see g^wel- in Indo-European roots.]

---

amphi·bolic (-blk) adj.

---

amphibole  (mf-bl)

Any of a large group of usually dark minerals composed of a silicate joined to various metals, such as magnesium, iron, calcium or sodium. Amphiboles occur as columnar or fibrous prismatic crystals in igneous and metamorphic rocks. Most are monoclinic, but some are orthorhombic. Hornblende, actinolite and glaucophane are amphiboles. Chemical formula: (Mg,Fe,Ca,Na)_2-3(Mg,Fe,Al)₅(Si,Al)₈O₂₂OH₂.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

amphibole - a mineral or mineral variety belonging to the amphibole group mineral - solid homogeneous inorganic substances occurring in nature having a definite chemical composition amphibole group - a group of minerals with similar crystal structures containing a silicate chain and combinations of chiefly sodium and calcium and magnesium and iron and aluminum amphibolite - a metamorphic rock composed chiefly of amphibole and plagioclase nephrite - an amphibole mineral consisting of calcium magnesium silicate in monoclinic crystalline form; a source of jade that is less valuable than from jadeite; once believed to cure kidney disorders actinolite - a green mineral of the amphibole group; calcium magnesium iron silicate anthophyllite - a dark brown mineral of the amphibole group; magnesium iron silicate asbestos - a fibrous amphibole; used for making fireproof articles; inhaling fibers can cause asbestosis or lung cancer hornblende - a green to black mineral of the amphibole group; consists of silicates of calcium and sodium and magnesium and iron