petalite

noun

pet·​al·​ite

-ˌīt

plural -s

: a usually white mineral LiAl(Si₂O₅)₂ consisting of a lithium aluminum silicate occurring in foliated cleavable masses or in monoclinic crystals (hardness 6–6.5, specific gravity 2.39–2.46)

Word History

Etymology

German petalit, from Greek petalon leaf + German -it -ite

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