Definition

1. Noun:
   • A white mineral; a common ore of zinc: Hemimorphite is a zinc silicate mineral, often white or colorless, but can also be blue or green. It is an important source of zinc metal.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The geologist identified the specimen as hemimorphite.
  • Hemimorphite is often found in the oxidized zones of zinc deposits.

Advanced Usage

• In mineralogy: The term is used to describe the mineral's characteristic crystal form, which is hemimorphic (having differently shaped ends).
  • The hemimorphite crystals displayed classic hemimorphic development.

Variants and Related Words

• Calamine (historical term): An older, less specific name that sometimes referred to hemimorphite or smithsonite (another zinc mineral).
  • Historically, the term "calamine" was applied to hemimorphite.

Synonyms

• Zinc silicate: A chemical description of the mineral.
• Electric calamine: An archaic synonym referencing its pyroelectric properties.

Notes on Different Meanings

• This word has a single, specific meaning in geology and mineralogy. It does not have common idiomatic or phrasal verb uses.

Noun

1. a white mineral; a common ore of zinc