thomsonite

noun

thom·​son·​ite

ˈtäm(p)səˌnīt

plural -s

: a mineral NaCa₂Al₅Si₅O₂₀.6H₂O of the zeolite family consisting of a hydrous silicate of aluminum, calcium, and sodium, occurring generally in masses of a radiated structure or rarely in distinct orthorhombic crystals, and being snow-white when pure (hardness 5–5.5)

Word History

Etymology

Thomas Thomson †1852 Scottish chemist + English -ite

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