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spinel Definition

spi·nel (spi nel′, spin′əl)

noun

a variously colored, crystalline mineral, MgAlO, used as a gem; magnesium aluminum oxide

Etymology: Early ModE spynel < MFr spinelle < It spinella, dim. of spina, thorn, spine < L: see spine

spinel Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • synthetic: Synthetic white spinel was often used in the past as a diamond substitute.

Modifies a noun

  • structure: They consider layers perpendicular to the [ 010 ] direction in the b phase of a spinel structure.
  • peridotite: This may explain why alkali basalts carry mostly spinel peridotites although the magma originated at deeper depth of garnet peridotites zone.

Noun used with modifier

  • chromium: In this paper the oxygen K edges from a variety of chromium spinels and magnesium aluminate are presented.