silicate

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   chemistry: a salt or ester derived from a silicic acid and containing silicon and oxygen

   The solution formed a silicate when it reacted with the dissolved metal ions.

2. 2
   noun

   a mineral whose structure is based on silicon-oxygen units; collectively, the largest class of rock-forming minerals

   Feldspar is a common silicate in granite.

Formed in scientific Latin and English from silica or silicic acid + -ate, the suffix used for salts and esters. Silica ultimately derives from Latin silex, genitive silicis, 'flint or hard stone.' Mineralogy extended the chemical name to minerals built from silicon-oxygen units.

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