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allophane in British English
(ˈæləˌfeɪn)
noun
a variously coloured amorphous mineral consisting of hydrated aluminium silicate and occurring in cracks in some sedimentary rocks
Word origin
C19: from Greek allophanēs appearing differently, from allo- + phainesthai to appearallophane in American English
(ˈæloʊˌfeɪn; ˈæləˌfeɪn)
noun
a soft clay mineral, a translucent, hydrous silicate of aluminum, of varying composition and color, typically occurring as incrustations in chalk and sandstone
Word origin
allo- + -phane, as in Gr allophanēs, appearing otherwise: so named because it changes appearance under the blowpipeImage ofallophane
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