Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Amphibole
Am′phi-bole
(ăm′fĭ-bōl)
, Noun.
[Gr.
ἀμφίβολοσ
doubtful, equivocal, fr. ἀμφιβάλλειν
to throw round, to doubt: cf. F. amphibole
. Haüy so named the genus from the great variety of color and composition assumed by the mineral.] (Min.)
A common mineral embracing many varieties varying in color and in composition. It occurs in monoclinic crystals; also massive, generally with fibrous or columnar structure. The color varies from white to gray, green, brown, and black. It is a silicate of magnesium and calcium, with usually aluminium and iron. Some common varieties are
tremolite
, actinolite
, asbestus
, edenite
, hornblende
(the last name being also used as a general term for the whole species). Amphibole is a constituent of many crystalline rocks, as syenite, diorite, most varieties of trachyte, etc. See Hornblende
. Webster 1828 Edition
Amphibole
AM'PHIBOLE
,Noun.
A name given by Hauy to a species of minerals, including the Tremolite, Hornblend, and Actinolite. Its primitive form is an oblique rhombic prism.