apophyllite
|a-pof-fi-lite|
🇺🇸
/əˈpɑfɪlaɪt/
🇬🇧
/əˈpɒfɪlaɪt/
leaf‑like; flakes off
Etymology
'apophyllite' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'apo-' and 'phyllon', where 'apo-' meant 'away from' and 'phyllon' meant 'leaf'.
'apophyllite' was formed in modern mineralogical nomenclature (entered scientific use in the 19th century) from the Greek roots and was adopted into English via New Latin as 'apophyllites'.
Initially the name emphasized the mineral's tendency to flake or 'leaf off' (a physical property); over time it became the established proper name for that mineral species.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a hydrous potassium–calcium silicate mineral (chemical formula roughly KCa4Si8O20(F,OH)·8H2O) that typically forms transparent to translucent, glassy tabular or prismatic crystals; commonly found in cavities of volcanic rocks and often associated with zeolites.
Apophyllite crystals lined the cavity of the basalt geode.
Last updated: 2025/09/21 03:58