How Do You Spell ALABANDINE?

Pronunciation: [ˌaləbˈandiːn] (IPA)

"Alabandine" is a relatively uncommon word referring to a mineral that is a blend of copper and iron sulfides. The pronunciation of "alabandine" is [ˌæləˈbændɪn], with stress on the second syllable. The spelling of this word follows the typical English pattern for words with a French origin, where "-ine" is added to the end of a word to indicate a mineral. The word originated from the town of Alabanda, which is now located in Turkey, and was historically a center for the mining of copper and other minerals.

ALABANDINE Meaning and Definition

1. Alabandine is an uncommon term that can be understood through two distinct definitions, one pertaining to a type of mineral and the other related to an ancient city.

   In terms of mineralogy, alabandine refers to a blackish variety of spinel, a crystalline mineral composed of magnesium aluminum oxide. The alabandine variety is typically opaque and has a dark reddish-brown or black color. It is often used as a gemstone or ornamental material due to its lustrous appearance. Alabandine can be found in metamorphic rocks or as alluvial deposits in various regions around the world.

   On the other hand, alabandine can also be associated with the ancient city of Alabanda, also known as Alabanda, that existed in Asia Minor during the Hellenistic period. Located in what is now modern-day Turkey, Alabanda was celebrated for its striking labyrinthine architectural design and was renowned for producing excellent horses. It was an important center of commerce, particularly for horse trade.

   While alabandine primarily refers to the mineral variety, its secondary definition alludes to the historical context of the ancient city.

2. A stone mentioned by Pliny, and so called from Alabanda, where it was cut and polished. It is a sulphuret of manganese, and usually occurs in massive granular crystals of an iron-black colour and semi-metallic lustre, found in Saxony and South America.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for ALABANDINE

• allabandin
• alabandin
• Alabandyn
• zlabandine
• slabandine
• wlabandine
• qlabandine
• akabandine
• apabandine
• aoabandine
• alzbandine
• alsbandine
• alwbandine
• alqbandine
• alavandine
• alanandine
• alahandine
• alagandine
• alabzndine
• alabsndine

Etymology of ALABANDINE

The word "alabandine" comes from the Middle French term "alabandin" which was derived from the Italian word "alabandino". It originated from the name of an ancient city in Asia Minor called Alabanda, located in what is now modern-day Turkey. Alabanda was renowned for its fine woollen cloth that had distinctive streaks or bands of color. Over time, the term "alabandine" came to be associated with textiles or fabrics characterized by a similar streaked or banded appearance.

Plural form of ALABANDINE is ALABANDINES