silˈicate noun

1. One of the largest group of minerals, all of which are composed of silicon, oxygen and one or more metals, with or without hydrogen
2. Any salt of silicic acid or derived from silicon

To combine, coat, or impregnate with silica or silicates

siliceous or silicious /-ishˈəs/ adjective

Of or containing silica

silicic /-isˈik/ adjective

Relating to, or obtained from, silica (silicic acid a general name for a group of acids, eg orthosilicˈic, H₄SiO₄; metasilicˈic, H₂SiO₃)

silicicolous /-sikˈ/ adjective

(L colere to cultivate, inhabit) growing on siliceous soil

silˈicide /-sīd/ noun

A compound of silicon and another element

silicifˈerous adjective

Containing silica

silicification /si-lis-i-fi-kāˈshən/ noun

silicified /-lisˈ/ adjective

silicˈify transitive verb

1. To render siliceous
2. To impregnate or cement with or replace by silica

To become siliceous

silˈicon /-kon or -kən/ noun

A non-metallic element (symbol Si; atomic no 14), forming grey crystals or brown amorphous powder and having semiconducting properties (formerly called silicium /-lisˈ or -lishˈ/)

silˈicone noun

Any of a number of extremely stable organic derivatives of silicon, used in rubbers, lubricants, polishes, etc

silicosis /-kōˈsis/ noun

A lung disease caused by the prolonged inhalation of silica dust

silicotˈic noun and adjective

silica gel noun

An absorbent form of silica used as a drying agent, and as a catalyst in many chemical processes

silicon carbide noun

A hard, crystalline compound, widely used as an abrasive and in cutting, grinding and polishing instruments

silicon chip see under chip

silicon valley noun

A district or area in which there is a concentration of information technology industries (from the orig Silicon Valley in California)