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English

sphene

|sphene|

C2

/sfiːn/

wedge-shaped mineral

Etymology
Etymology Information

'sphene' originates from the Greek word 'sphēn,' meaning 'wedge,' due to its typical wedge-shaped crystals.

Historical Evolution

'sphēn' was adopted into French as 'sphène' and eventually became the modern English word 'sphene.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, it referred to the wedge shape of the crystals, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a mineral, also known as titanite, that is a source of titanium and is typically found in metamorphic and igneous rocks.

The geologist discovered a large deposit of sphene in the mountain range.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/07/03 20:21