nepheline

neph·e·line  (nf-ln, -ln) also neph·e·lite (-lt)

n.

A mineral of sodium-aluminum or potassium-aluminum silicate, occurring worldwide in igneous rocks and used in the manufacture of ceramics and enamels.

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[From Greek nephel, cloud (because its fragments become cloudy when placed in nitric acid); see nebh- in Indo-European roots.]

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nephe·linic (-lnk) adj.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

nepheline - a whitish mineral consisting of sodium aluminum silicate or potassium aluminum silicate in crystalline form; used in the manufacture of ceramics and enamels nephelite mineral - solid homogeneous inorganic substances occurring in nature having a definite chemical composition nephelinite - an igneous rock consisting of nepheline and pyroxene