a white or colourless mineral consisting of a fluoride of sodium and aluminium in monoclinic crystalline form: used in the production of aluminium, glass, and enamel. Formula: Na3AlF6
cryolite in American English
(ˈkraɪoʊˌlaɪt; ˈkraɪəˌlaɪt)
noun
a fluoride of sodium and aluminum, Na3AlF6, found in Greenland or produced synthetically and used in the molten state in the electrolytic production of aluminum
Word origin
cryo- + -lite: with reference to its icy appearance