Langimage
English

hornblende

|horn-blende|

C1

🇺🇸

/ˈhɔrnˌblɛnd/

🇬🇧

/ˈhɔːn.blɛnd/

complex silicate mineral

Etymology
Etymology Information

'hornblende' originates from German, specifically the word 'Hornblende', where 'Horn' meant 'horn' and 'blende' meant 'to deceive'.

Historical Evolution

'Hornblende' was borrowed directly from the German word 'Hornblende' and has remained largely unchanged in modern English.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it referred to a mineral that deceived miners into thinking it was valuable ore, but now it is recognized as a distinct mineral group.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a complex silicate mineral that is a common constituent of many igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Hornblende is often found in granite and diorite.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/05/22 03:31