sparry

A geologist examines a sparry limestone sample under bright light.

Definition

1. Adjective (mineralogy):
   • Relating to or resembling spar: "sparry" describes a mineral that is similar to or contains spar, a crystalline mineral that cleaves easily into smooth, flat surfaces (e.g., calcite, feldspar).
   • Containing spar: It can also mean that a rock or mineral deposit has a significant amount of spar.

Usage Examples

• (The limestone contains or resembles spar.)
• (The mineral's structure is like that of spar.)

Advanced Usage

• "sparry iron": A historical term for siderite, a mineral composed of iron carbonate, often found in crystalline (sparry) form.
  • The miners extracted sparry iron from the veins. (They mined siderite, which has a sparry appearance.)

Variants and Related Words

• Spar (noun): A general term for crystalline minerals that cleave easily, such as calcite, feldspar, or fluorite.

  • The rock contained large grains of spar. (Crystalline minerals were present.)

• Sparry is the adjectival form; no common compounds exist beyond mineralogical terms.

Synonyms

• Crystalline: Having the structure of a crystal.
• Lamellar: Composed of thin, flat layers (similar to spar's cleavage).

Related Idioms

• No common idioms include "sparry"; it is a technical term used primarily in geology and mineralogy.