psilomelane

[ sahy-lom-uh-leyn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a common mineral consisting of a mixture of pyrolusite and other oxides of manganese, usually found in black, rounded masses: an ore of manganese.

psilomelane

/ sɪˈlɒmɪˌleɪn /

a common black to grey secondary mineral consisting of hydrated basic oxide of manganese and barium: a source of manganese. Formula: BaMn 9 O 16 (OH) 4 Also calledromanicite

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1825–35; < Greek psīló ( s ) bare, smooth + mélan, neuter of mélas black

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C19: from Greek psilos bare + melas black

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Manganese occurs mainly as black oxide (MnO2) in the mineral pyrolusite; and, in a less pure form, in psilomelane and wad.

As an ore of manganese it is much less abundant than pyrolusite or psilomelane.

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