Definition of quartz
1 : a mineral consisting of silicon dioxide occurring in colorless and transparent or colored hexagonal crystals or in crystalline masses
2 : a quartz crystal that when placed in an electric field oscillates at a constant frequency and is used to control devices which require precise regulation a quartz watch
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Recent Examples of quartz from the Web
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Nature Beads silk handmade tassels, 2.3 inches, in rose quartz, $3 each, naturebeads.etsy.com.
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Visitors can reach the crystalline quartz sand beach via a long walk north from Clearwater Beach, or sail there by pedestrian ferry boat or private boat.
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Most sand consists chiefly of quartz, the commonest form of silica, but there are other kinds.
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The beach’s quartz sand is softest near the water’s edge, but nature lovers will be drawn to both the boardwalk and kayak paths through the trees.
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Actually it’s powdered quartz that has been deposited on the Siesta Key beach on Florida’s gulf side.
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The home includes quartz kitchen area counter tops and a Corian surround shower stall with a custom Corian shower pan.
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Yucca eruptions, dry washes, pale gravel sands, quartz pebbles.
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The cost of the raw, machined quartz alone hit $75,000, according to Bill Bencze, the mission's payload and electronics manager.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quartz'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of quartz
German Quarz
First Known Use: circa 1631
QUARTZ Defined for English Language Learners
quartz
playDefinition of quartz for English Language Learners
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: a mineral that is often found in the form of a hard crystal and that is used especially to make clocks and watches
QUARTZ Defined for Kids
quartz
playDefinition of quartz for Students
: a common mineral often found in the form of colorless transparent crystals but sometimes (as in amethysts, agates, and jaspers) brightly colored
Medical Dictionary
quartz
playMedical Definition of quartz
: a mineral SiO2 consisting of a silica that occurs in colorless and transparent or colored hexagonal crystals and also in crystalline masses
Learn More about quartz
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Spanish Central: Translation of quartz Nglish: Translation of quartz for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about quartz
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