Definition

A type of mineral that contains silicate and is known for being a source of rare earth metals.

Example

Allanite is often found in metamorphic rocks and is a significant source of rare earth elements.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of allanite?

Yeah, it's that mineral that contains rare earth metals, right?

Exactly! I read that it's used in some high-tech applications.

That's pretty cool! I didn't know minerals could be so useful.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Allanite is named after the Scottish mineralogist Thomas Allan, who first described the mineral. The suffix '-ite' is derived from the Greek 'lithos' (meaning stone), commonly used in mineralogy to denote minerals or rocks. Therefore, allanite refers to a stone named after Thomas Allan.

Memory Tip

Think of 'Allan' as the person who discovered this mineral, and '-ite' meaning stone. This helps you remember that allanite is a stone named after Thomas Allan.

Visually Confused Words