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allophane

(al′ō fān′, al′ə-)

noun

a soft clay mineral, a translucent, hydrous silicate of aluminum, of varying composition and color, typically occurring as incrustations in chalk and sandstone

Origin: allo- + -phane, as in Gr allophanēs, appearing otherwise: so named because it changes appearance under the blowpipe

See allophane in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An amorphous, translucent, variously colored mineral, essentially hydrous aluminum silicate.

Origin:

Origin: From Greek allophanēs, appearing otherwise

Origin: : allos, other; see allo-

Origin: + phainesthai, phan-, to appear

Origin: , passive of phainein, to show; see fantasy

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