Definition

Noun: A dark-colored mineral belonging to the mica group, characterized by its crystalline structure and containing significant amounts of iron and lithium. It is a phyllosilicate, meaning it forms in sheet-like layers.

Usage

"Zinnwaldite" is a technical term used primarily in the fields of geology, mineralogy, and materials science. It refers specifically to this distinct mineral species. - The geologist identified the specimen as zinnwaldite based on its chemical composition and cleavage. - Zinnwaldite is an important source of lithium, a metal used in batteries.*

Advanced Usage

• In Petrology: The presence of zinnwaldite in a granite can indicate specific conditions of formation.
  • The granite's composition, including zinnwaldite, suggests a late-stage magmatic differentiation.

Variants and Related Words

• Mica (n): The broader group of silicate minerals to which zinnwaldite belongs, known for perfect basal cleavage.
• Lepidolite (n): Another lithium-bearing mica, often lighter in color (pink to violet) compared to zinnwaldite.

Synonyms

• Iron-lithium mica: A descriptive synonym highlighting its key chemical components.

Notes on Different Meanings

The word "zinnwaldite" has a single, specific meaning as a mineral name. It is not used idiomatically or in common figurative language.

Noun

1. a mica containing iron and lithium