spinel

noun

spi·​nel spə-ˈnel How to pronounce spinel (audio)
variants or spinelle
1
: a hard crystalline mineral consisting of an oxide of magnesium and aluminum that varies from colorless to ruby red to black and is used as a gem
2
: any of a group of minerals that are essentially oxides of magnesium, ferrous iron, zinc, or manganese

Examples of spinel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Due to this range, spinel has been confused with other gems. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 1 Aug. 2024 Others believed red spinel could stop anger and bring harmony. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 1 Aug. 2024 The red spinel on one of the necklaces — which also converts into a tiara — acts as its own version of the black and white spiral patterns used by hypnotists, affixing the eyes. Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2024 Sapphires, rubies, spinels, garnets, yellow diamonds, emeralds, and onyx—the stones are highly pigmented and often large in carat weight (the largest being a 35.10-carat sapphire used for a ring). Daisy Shaw-Ellis, Vogue, 20 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for spinel 

Word History

Etymology

Italian spinella, diminutive of spina thorn, from Latin

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spinel was in 1528

Dictionary Entries Near spinel

Cite this Entry

“Spinel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spinel. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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