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mica

(mī′kə)

noun

any of a group of minerals that are complex silicates that crystallize in thin, somewhat flexible, translucent or colored, easily separated layers, including muscovite, biotite, and lepidolite: mica is resistant to heat and electricity

Origin: ModL < L, a crumb, grain (< IE *(s)meik-, var. of base *(s)mei-, to smear, rub over > OE smitte, a smudge): sense infl. by micare, to shine, glitter < IE *meik-, to flicker, blink

Related Forms:

micaceous adjective

See mica in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of a group of chemically and physically related aluminum silicate minerals, common in igneous and metamorphic rocks, characteristically splitting into flexible sheets used in insulation and electrical equipment.

Origin:

Origin: Latin mīca, grain (perhaps influenced by micāre, to flash)

Related Forms: