leucite

/ˈlusaɪt/

leucite

English Noun

Definition

A mineral of silica-poor igneous, plutonic and volcanic rocks. Chemically, leucite is a potassium feldspar with insufficient silica to satisfy the chemical bonds. Because of the unfilled bonds, leucite weathers rapidly and can only be seen as inclusions in freshly broken rock.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek λευκός (leukós, “white”) + -ite.