cyclosilicate

noun

cy·​clo·​silicate

"+

1

: a class of polymeric silicates sometimes considered a subclass of sorosilicates in which the silicon-oxygen tetrahedral groups are linked by sharing oxygen atoms so as to form rings containing 3, 4, or 6 silicon atoms and 9, 12, or 18 oxygen atoms respectively (as in benitoite or beryl)

called also ring-silicate

compare inosilicate, nesosilicate, phyllosilicate, sorosilicate, tectosilicate

2

: any mineral belonging to the class of cyclosilicates

Word History

Etymology

cycl- + silicate

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