How Do You Spell PSILOMELANE?

Pronunciation: [sˈɪlə͡ʊmlˌe͡ɪn] (IPA)

Psilomelane is a mineral that is found primarily in oxidized manganese ore deposits. The word is spelled with a silent P at the beginning, followed by the consonant cluster S-L-M. The final syllable, -ane, is pronounced as the long A sound followed by the letter N. The IPA phonetic transcription of psilomelane is /saɪləʊmɛleɪn/. It can be a challenging word to spell and pronounce, but it is important to master for those in the geology and mineralogy fields.

PSILOMELANE Meaning and Definition

  1. Psilomelane is a noun that refers to a dark mineral consisting mainly of hydrous manganese oxides. It belongs to the broader group of minerals called manganese oxides. Its name comes from the Greek words "psilos," meaning smooth, and "melan," meaning black, due to its smooth black appearance.

    Psilomelane is typically found in association with other manganese minerals and iron oxides. It has a metallic luster and a hardness of 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, making it relatively soft. It is commonly black or dark brown in color, although it may also appear gray or bluish-black. Its streak is black, and its specific gravity ranges from 3.7 to 4.7.

    This mineral commonly forms botryoidal or stalactitic masses, displaying a smooth or crusty texture. It is often found in hydrothermal or sedimentary environments, frequently occurring in manganese-rich ore deposits. Psilomelane can also be found as a replacement mineral in limestone or dolomite, where it may be associated with other manganese-bearing minerals like pyrolusite or manganite.

    Psilomelane is not only appreciated for its aesthetic appeal and use as a gemstone, but it is also valuable due to its manganese content. Manganese is an essential metal used in various industries, particularly steel production, where it aids in strengthening the alloy. Additionally, psilomelane may contain traces of other elements, such as silver or barium, further enhancing its industrial significance.

    Overall, psilomelane is a dark and smooth mineral comprised mainly of hydrous manganese oxides, with various uses ranging from gemstone aesthetics to industrial applications.

  2. An uncleavable manganese ore, usually occurring in botryoidal, kidney-shaped, or stalactitic masses, having a smooth surface, foliated texture, and dark glistening colour.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for PSILOMELANE

  • osilomelane
  • lsilomelane
  • -silomelane
  • 0silomelane
  • pailomelane
  • pzilomelane
  • pxilomelane
  • pdilomelane
  • peilomelane
  • pwilomelane
  • psulomelane
  • psjlomelane
  • psklomelane
  • psolomelane
  • ps9lomelane
  • ps8lomelane
  • psikomelane
  • psipomelane
  • psioomelane

Etymology of PSILOMELANE

The word "psilomelane" is derived from the Greek words "psilos", meaning "bare" or "smooth", and "melas", meaning "black". Psilomelane is a mineral that is typically black in color, hence the name derived from Greek.

Plural form of PSILOMELANE is PSILOMELANES

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