Mineraloid: meaning, definitions and examples
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mineraloid
[ ˈmaɪnəroʊɪd ]
geology, materials
A mineraloid is a naturally occurring inorganic substance that does not possess a definite crystalline structure. Unlike minerals, mineraloids lack a regular lattice arrangement of atoms, which means they do not exhibit crystallinity. Common examples of mineraloids include opal and obsidian.
Synonyms
amorphous mineral, non-crystalline substance.
Examples of usage
- Opal is a popular mineraloid used in jewelry.
- Obsidian, a mineraloid, is often used for making tools.
- Some mineraloids can form under specific geological conditions.
- Mineraloids can provide insights into geological processes.
- The properties of mineraloids can differ significantly from their mineral counterparts.
Translations
Translations of the word "mineraloid" in other languages:
🇵🇹 mineraloide
🇮🇳 खनिजविहीन
🇩🇪 Mineraloid
🇮🇩 mineraloid
🇺🇦 мінералойд
🇵🇱 mineraloid
🇯🇵 鉱物様物質
🇫🇷 mineraloïde
🇪🇸 mineraloide
🇹🇷 mineraloid
🇰🇷 광물유사체
🇸🇦 معادن مائية
🇨🇿 mineraloid
🇸🇰 mineraloid
🇨🇳 矿物样物质
🇸🇮 mineraloid
🇮🇸 steindauði
🇰🇿 минералойд
🇬🇪 მინერალოიდი
🇦🇿 mineraloid
🇲🇽 mineraloide
Etymology
The term 'mineraloid' is derived from the combination of 'mineral' and the suffix '-oid', which means 'like' or 'resembling'. The study of mineraloids has its roots in geology and mineralogy, as scientists sought to categorize natural substances that did not fit the conventional definition of minerals. Historically, mineraloids have been recognized for their unique characteristics, which distinguish them from crystalline minerals. As geological studies advanced, the understanding of mineraloids expanded, leading to a more refined classification system. The word has been part of scientific discourse since the late 19th century, gaining acceptance as the distinctions between crystalline and non-crystalline substances became important for studies in geology, materials science, and petrology.