Leucite

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ˈlusaɪt/

Origin

Ancient Greek λευκός (leukos, "white") + -ite.

Full definition of leucite

Noun

1. (mineralogy) 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.
2. (botany) A leucoplast.