Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Characteristic of or pertaining to anorthite: Describes a substance, especially a mineral or rock, that has the properties, composition, or structure of the mineral anorthite, a calcium-rich plagioclase feldspar.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The rock sample was identified as anorthitic due to its high calcium feldspar content.
  • Anorthitic compositions are common in certain lunar highland rocks.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific Context: The term is primarily used in geology, mineralogy, and planetary science to describe the chemical composition or mineralogical nature of materials.
  • The thin section analysis revealed an anorthitic matrix, confirming its plutonic origin.

Variants and Related Words

• Anorthite (n): The specific calcium-rich plagioclase feldspar mineral (CaAl₂Si₂O₈).
  • Anorthite is a key component of anorthosite rock.
• Anorthosite (n): A coarse-grained igneous rock composed almost entirely of anorthitic plagioclase feldspar.
  • The lunar crust contains large areas of anorthosite.

Synonyms

• Calcic plagioclase: Referring to plagioclase feldspar with a high calcium content, similar to anorthite.

Adjective

1. characteristic of anorthite