noun
- plural of hornblende; dark-colored silicate minerals that are common components of igneous and metamorphic rocks
Usage: geology; mineralogy
Examples
- The geologist identified several hornblendes in the rock sample.
- Hornblendes are typically black or dark green in color.
- The granite contained quartz, feldspar, and hornblendes.
- Different types of hornblendes can be found in metamorphic rocks.
- The students learned to distinguish hornblendes from other dark minerals.
- Hornblendes have a characteristic prismatic crystal structure.