Mohs' scale

noun

ˈmōz-  ˈmōs- 

ˈmō-səz-

: a scale of hardness for minerals that ranges from a value of 1 for talc to 10 for diamond

Word History

Etymology

Friedrich Mohs †1839 German mineralogist

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Mohs' scale

noun

ˈmōz-  ˈmōs- 

ˈmō-səz-

: a scale of hardness for minerals that ranges from a value of 1 for talc to 10 for diamond

Etymology

named after Friedrich Mohs, 1773–1839, German mineralogist who introduced the scale

Medical Definition

Mohs' scale

noun

ˈmōz-  ˈmōs- 

ˈmō-səz-

1

: a scale of hardness for minerals in which 1 represents the hardness of talc; 2, gypsum; 3, calcite; 4, fluorite; 5, apatite; 6, orthoclase; 7, quartz; 8, topaz; 9, corundum; and 10, diamond

2

: a revised and expanded version of the original Mohs' scale which provides finer distinctions between the harder materials and in which 1 represents the hardness of talc; 2, gypsum; 3, calcite; 4, fluorite; 5, apatite; 6, orthoclase; 7, vitreous pure silica; 8, quartz; 9, topaz; 10, garnet; 11, fused zirconium oxide; 12, fused alumina; 13, silicon carbide; 14, boron carbide; and 15, diamond