Aphronitre

/ˌæfrəˈnaɪtər/ noun

Definition

A rare mineral containing nitrogen or a nitrogen-bearing compound found in certain geological formations.

Etymology

From Greek aphro- (possibly relating to foam or appearance) + nitre (saltpeter, a nitrogen compound) + -e. This appears to be a mineralogical term combining foam-like appearance with chemical composition.

Kelly Says

This is such an obscure mineral name that it barely appears in modern geological literature—it's like a linguistic fossil showing us how 19th-century scientists named every tiny discovery they found, even ones we've now forgotten about.

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