monazite

monazite Definition

mona·zite (män′ə zīt′)

noun

a yellow or brownish-red native phosphate of the rare-earth elements, a major source of thorium, cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, etc.

Etymology: Ger monazit < Gr monazein, to be alone (see monastery) + Ger -it, -ite: so named because of its isolated crystals

monazite Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

crystallization: Two episodes of monazite crystallization during prograde metamorphism in the Everest region, Nepalese Himalaya.

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