a black, orthorhombic mineral, (Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)O, that is an ore of tantalum and niobium
Origin:
Ger tantalit: see tantalum & -ite
See tantalite in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
A black to red-brown mineral, (Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)2O6, distinguished from columbite by the predominance of tantalum over niobium and used as an ore of both elements.