spinel

(spi nel′, spin′əl)

noun

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

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

See spinel in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also spi·nelle

noun

A hard, variously colored mineral with composition MgAl₂O₄, having usually octahedral crystals and occurring in igneous and carbonate rocks. The red variety is valued as a gem and is sometimes confused with ruby.
Any of a group of minerals that are oxides of magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, or aluminum.

Origin:

Origin: Italian spinella

Origin: , diminutive of spina, thorn (from its sharply pointed crystals)

Origin: , from Latin spīna

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