olivine (redirected from olivinitic)

ol·i·vine  (l-vn)

n.

A mineral silicate of iron and magnesium, principally (Mg, Fe)₂SiO₄, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks and used as a structural material in refractories and in cements. Also called chrysolite.

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[olive (from its color) + -ine.]

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oli·vinic (-vnk), oli·vi·nitic (-v-ntk) adj.

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olivine [ˈɒlɪˌviːn ˌɒlɪˈviːn]

n

1. (Earth Sciences / Minerals) an olive-green mineral of the olivine group, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks. The clear-green variety (peridot) is used as a gemstone. Composition: magnesium iron silicate. Formula: (MgFe)₂SiO₄. Crystal structure: orthorhombic also called chrysolite

2. (Earth Sciences / Minerals) any mineral in the group having the general formula (Mg,Fe,Mn,Ca)₂SiO₄

[from German, named after its colour]

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olivine  (l-vn)

An olive-green to brownish-green orthorhombic mineral. Olivine is a common mineral in the igneous rocks, such as basalt and gabbro, that make up most of the Earth's crust beneath the oceans. Chemical formula: (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄. Olivine in which the mafic component consists entirely of magnesium is called forsterite. Chemical formula: Mg₂SiO₄. Olivine in which the mafic component consists entirely of iron is called fayalite. Chemical formula: Fe₂SiO₄.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

olivine - a mineral consisting of magnesium iron silicate; a source of magnesium 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 chrysolite - a brown or yellow-green olivine found in igneous and metamorphic rocks and used as a gemstone