Silicates


noun
1.
Mineralogy. any of the largest group of mineral compounds, as quartz, beryl, garnet, feldspar, mica, and various kinds of clay, consisting of SiO 2 or SiO 4 groupings and one or more metallic ions, with some forms containing hydrogen. Silicates constitute well over 90 percent of the rock-forming minerals of the earth’s crust.
2.
Chemistry. any salt derived from the silicic acids or from silica.
noun
1.
a salt or ester of silicic acid, esp one of a large number of usually insoluble salts with polymeric negative ions having a structure formed of tetrahedrons of SiO4 groups linked in rings, chains, sheets, or three dimensional frameworks. Silicates constitute a large proportion of the earth’s minerals and are present in cement and glass

silicate sil·i·cate (sĭl’ĭ-kāt’, -kĭt)
n.
Any of numerous compounds containing silicon, oxygen, and one or more metals; a salt of silicic acid.
silicate
(sĭl’ĭ-kāt’)

Any of a large class of chemical compounds composed of silicon, oxygen, and at least one metal. Most rocks and minerals are silicates.

Any mineral containing the group SiO4, either isolated, or joined to other groups in chains, sheets, or three-dimensional groups with metal elements. Micas and feldspars are silicate minerals.

silicates [(sil-uh-kuhts, sil-uh-kayts)]

The main minerals found in many rocks. Silicates are composed of atoms of silicon, oxygen, and elements such as potassium, sodium, or calcium, under great heat and pressure. Silicates make up about one-quarter of the crust of the Earth.

Note: Mica and quartz are silicates.

Read Also:

  • Silicatosis

    silicatosis sil·i·ca·to·sis (sĭl’ĭ-kə-tō’sĭs) n. See silicosis.

  • Siliceous

    adjective 1. containing, consisting of, or resembling silica. 2. growing in soil rich in silica. adjective 1. of, relating to, or containing abundant silica: siliceous deposits, a siliceous clay 2. (of plants) growing in or needing soil rich in silica siliceous (sĭ-lĭsh’əs) Resembling or containing silica.

  • Silici-

    1. a combining form representing silicon in compound words: silicide. 2. a combining form representing silica in compound words: silicify. combining form 1. indicating silica or silicon: silicify

  • Silicic

    adjective, Chemistry. 1. containing silicon. 2. of or relating to silica or acids derived from it. adjective 1. of, concerned with, or containing silicon or an acid obtained from silicon

  • Silicic-acid

    noun, Chemistry. 1. any of certain amorphous gelatinous masses, formed when alkaline silicates are treated with acids, which dissociate readily into silica and water. silicic acid noun 1. a white gelatinous substance obtained by adding an acid to a solution of sodium silicate. It has an ill-defined composition and is best regarded as hydrated silica, […]


Disclaimer: Silicates definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.