ORTHOCLASE Definition & Meaning

orthoclase

[ awr-thuh-kleys, -kleyz ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a common white or pink mineral of the feldspar group, KAlSi 3 O 8 , having two good cleavages at right angles, and found in silica-rich igneous rocks: used in the manufacture of porcelain.

orthoclase

/ ˈɔːθəʊˌkleɪs; -ˌkleɪz /

noun

a white to pale yellow, red, or green mineral of the feldspar group, found in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. It is used in the manufacture of glass and ceramics. Composition: potassium aluminium silicate. Formula: KAlSi 3 O 8 . Crystal structure: monoclinic

orthoclase

/ ô��′�ٳ�ə-��′ /

A white to yellowish red monoclinic mineral of the potassium feldspar group that forms from medium- to low-temperature magmas. Chemical formula: KAlSi 3 O 8 .

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of orthoclase¹

1840–50; ortho- + -clase < Greek ��á�� cleavage, breaking

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A transparent or translucent variety of common feldspar, or orthoclase, which often shows pearly opalescent reflections; - called by lapidaries moonstone.

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Examples of substances exhibiting these three kinds of dispersion are borax, orthoclase and gypsum respectively.

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Felspar if present may be orthoclase and oligoclase.

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These larger felspars have no crystalline outlines and consist of orthoclase or microcline surrounded by borders of white oligoclase.

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Of their minerals felspar Is usually the most abundant, and is principally labradorite and bytownite, though anorthite occurs in some, while oligoclase and orthoclase have been found in others.

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