Attacolite

/ætəˈkoʊlaɪt/ noun

Definition

A type of mineral composed of hydrated copper silicate, valued by collectors and mineral enthusiasts.

Etymology

From 'Attacama' (a desert region in Chile where it was first found) plus the mineral suffix '-lite,' which comes from Greek 'lithos' meaning 'stone.' The naming follows the standard practice of naming minerals after their locations.

Kelly Says

Attacolite is named after the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth—which is a funny irony since this mineral is specifically a hydrated form, meaning it contains water in a place where water is almost impossible to find.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.