mineralogy
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.min·er·al·o·gy
noun \ˌmi-nə-ˈrä-lə-jē, -ˈra-\Definition of MINERALOGY
1
: a science dealing with minerals, their crystallography, properties, classification, and the ways of distinguishing them
2
: the mineralogical characteristics of an area, a rock, or a rock formation
— min·er·al·og·i·cal \ˌmi-nə-rə-ˈlä-ji-kəl, ˌmin-rə-\ also min·er·al·og·ic \-ˈlä-jik\ adjective
— min·er·al·og·i·cal·ly \-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
— min·er·al·o·gist \ˌmi-nə-ˈrä-lə-jist, -ˈra-\ noun
See Origin of MINERALOGY
probably from New Latin *mineralogia, irregular from Medieval Latin minerale + Latin -logia -logy
First Known Use: 1690
mineralogy
noun (Concise Encyclopedia)Scientific study of minerals, including their physical properties, chemical composition, internal crystal structure, occurrence and distribution in nature, and origins or conditions of formation. Mineralogic studies range from description and classification of new or rare minerals to analysis of crystal structure and laboratory or industrial synthesis of mineral species. The methods employed include physical and chemical identification tests, determination of crystal symmetry and structure, optical examination, X-ray diffraction, and isotope analysis.
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