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zeolite

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(zē′ə līt′)

noun

any of a large group of natural hydrous aluminum silicates of sodium, calcium, potassium, barium, etc., chiefly found in cavities in igneous rocks and characterized by a ready loss or gain of water of hydration: many are capable of ion exchange with solutions
a similar natural or synthetic silicate, used for softening water

Origin: Swed zeolit < Gr zein, to boil (see yeast): from its swelling up when heated

Related Forms:

zeolitic adjective

See zeolite in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any one of a family of hydrous aluminum silicate minerals, whose molecules enclose cations of sodium, potassium, calcium, strontium, or barium, or a corresponding synthetic compound, used chiefly as molecular filters and ion-exchange agents.

Origin:

Origin: Swedish zeolit

Origin: , from Greek zein, to boil (from its swelling and boiling under the blowpipe); see yes- in Indo-European roots

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