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pyroxene Definition

py·rox·ene (pī räk′sēn′)

noun

any of a group of monoclinic or orthorhombic silicate minerals usually containing iron or magnesium but not the hydroxyl radical, and commonly found in igneous rocks

Etymology: Fr pyroxène < Gr pyr, fire + xenos, stranger: from its being foreign to igneous rocks

pyroxene Related Forms
py′·rox·en′ic (-sen′ik) adjective
pyroxene Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • contain: The black gabbro contains pyroxene and pigmented plagioclase feldspars.

Adjective modifier

  • sodic: We are particularly interested in the sources of basaltic rocks and greenstones, including serpentine, nephrites and sodic pyroxenes ( jades ).