augite
|aug-ite|
/ˈɔːɡaɪt/
dark pyroxene mineral
Etymology
'augite' originates from German, specifically the word 'Augit', which ultimately derives from Greek 'augites' (from αὔγη/augē) where the root 'aug-' meant 'brightness' or 'light'.
'augite' changed from the German scientific term 'Augit' and was adopted into modern English mineralogical nomenclature in the 19th century as 'augite'.
Initially, the root referred to brightness or a lustrous quality; over time it became the specific mineral name 'augite' for a dark pyroxene species.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a common dark green to black rock-forming mineral of the pyroxene group, typically of the clinopyroxene series, with a general chemical formula around (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe,Al)(Si,Al)2O6.
The basalt contained abundant augite crystals.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/20 16:27