olivine

noun

ol·​iv·​ine ˈä-lə-ˌvēn How to pronounce olivine (audio)
: a usually greenish mineral that is a complex silicate of magnesium and iron used especially in refractories compare peridot
olivinic adjective
or olivinitic

Examples of olivine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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This suggests the presence of minerals known as such as sodium-rich plagioclase (such as albite), iron-poor pyroxene (for example enstatite), iron-poor olivine (such as forsterite) and sulfide minerals such as oldhamite. Ben Rider-Stokes, JSTOR Daily, 17 July 2025 Both meteorites from the study, which Rider-Stokes analyzed with several instruments including an electron microscope, contain olivine and pyroxene, two iron-poor minerals confirmed by MESSENGER to be present on Mercury. Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 14 July 2025 Eion's olivine is much cheaper than lime for farmers because capital from corporate removal buyers allows a lower sales cost. Ben Geman, Axios, 25 Mar. 2025 Dust that has been detected already includes grains of olivine and iron sulfide. Keith Cooper, Space.com, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for olivine

Word History

Etymology

German Olivin, from Latin oliva

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of olivine was in 1794

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Cite this Entry

“Olivine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/olivine. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

olivine

noun
ol·​iv·​ine ˈäl-ə-ˌvēn How to pronounce olivine (audio)
: a usually greenish mineral that is a silicate of magnesium and iron

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