deltaite

noun

del·​ta·​ite

ˈdeltəˌīt

plural -s

often capitalized

: a mineral Ca₂Al₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₄.H₂O consisting of a basic hydrous phosphate of calcium and aluminum

Word History

Etymology

delta entry 1 (Greek letter) + -ite; from the triangular appearance of the crystals in cross section

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