METACINNABAR Meaning and
Definition
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Metacinnabar is a mineral that belongs to the mercury sulfide group, specifically the cinnabar subgroup. It is a rare form of cinnabar, which is primarily composed of mercury and sulfur. Metacinnabar shares the same chemical formula as cinnabar, HgS, but exhibits a different crystal structure.
Metacinnabar crystallizes in the trigonal system and is characterized by its deep red or scarlet color. It commonly forms tabular or rhombohedral crystals, which can appear as grainy or powdery aggregates. It has a hardness of about 2.5-3 on the Mohs scale, making it relatively soft.
This mineral is often found as a secondary product or alteration of cinnabar. It forms through the process of metamorphism where the original cinnabar undergoes physical and chemical changes under high pressure and temperature. Metacinnabar can be found in several locations worldwide, including mercury mining regions.
Metacinnabar holds importance not only as a mineral of scientific interest but also in industrial applications. It serves as a source of the valuable element mercury, which is used in various industrial processes, such as electronics, thermometers, and fluorescent lights.
In conclusion, metacinnabar is a comparatively rare mineral that is a metamorphic alteration of cinnabar. It possesses a distinctive red coloration and crystallizes in the trigonal system. Due to its association with mercury, metacinnabar plays a vital role in both scientific study and industrial applications.
Common Misspellings for METACINNABAR
- netacinnabar
- ketacinnabar
- jetacinnabar
- mwtacinnabar
- mstacinnabar
- mdtacinnabar
- mrtacinnabar
- m4tacinnabar
- m3tacinnabar
- meracinnabar
- mefacinnabar
- megacinnabar
- meyacinnabar
- me6acinnabar
- me5acinnabar
- metzcinnabar
- metscinnabar
- metwcinnabar
- metqcinnabar
- metaxinnabar
Etymology of METACINNABAR
The word "metacinnabar" is derived from two separate terms, "meta-" and "cinnabar".
The prefix "meta-" has Greek origins and means "beyond" or "transformation". It is commonly used to indicate something that is a higher or more advanced form of the original term. In this case, "meta-" suggests that "metacinnabar" is related to or derived from "cinnabar" in some way.
"Cinnabar" is a term of Persian and Latin origin. The word "cinnabar" was originally derived from the Persian term "zinjifrah", which meant "dragon's blood". It was later adopted into Latin as "cinnabaris", referring to the bright red or scarlet colored mercury sulfide mineral.
