actinolite

noun

ac·​tin·​o·​lite ak-ˈti-nə-ˌlīt How to pronounce actinolite (audio)
: a bright green or grayish-green mineral of the amphibole group that is a silicate of calcium, magnesium, and iron occurring in fibrous, radiate, or columnar forms

Word History

Etymology

actino- + -lite; translation of German Strahlstein, Strahlschörl (earlier New Latin actinotus in the terminology of the naturalist J. F. Gmelin)

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of actinolite was in 1794

Dictionary Entries Near actinolite

Cite this Entry

“Actinolite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/actinolite. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on actinolite

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!