phyllosilicate

noun

phyl·​lo·​silicate

¦filō+

: a mineral of a class of polymeric silicates in which the silicon-oxygen tetrahedral groups are linked by sharing three of every four oxygen atoms so as to form sheets of indefinite extent, in which the ratio of silicon to oxygen is 2:5, and in which some silicon atoms may be replaced by aluminum (as in mica, chlorite, kaolinite)

called also sheet-silicate

compare cyclosilicate, inosilicate, nesosilicate, sorosilicate, tectosilicate

Word History

Etymology

phyll- + silicate

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Rhymes for phyllosilicate

• borosilicate
• decontaminate
• deoxycholate
• deteriorate
• differentiate
• diisocyanate
• dinoflagellate
• excommunicate
• incapacitate
• insubordinate
• intercorporate
• interpenetrate