How Do You Spell METAMICT?

Pronunciation: [mˌɛtəmˈɪkt] (IPA)

Metamict is a geological term used to describe rocks that have undergone radiation damage and have lost their crystalline structure. The pronunciation is /mɛtəˈmɪkt/, where the stress is on the second syllable. It can be broken down into three syllables, with the first syllable "met" pronounced as in "metropolitan", the second syllable "a" pronounced as in "cat" and the final syllable "mict" pronounced as in "microwave". This unique spelling of the word reflects both its Latin origin and the scientific terminology used in geology.

METAMICT Meaning and Definition

1. Metamict is an adjective that is commonly used in the field of mineralogy to describe a mineral or a specific crystal structure that has been altered due to radiation damage. The term is derived from the combination of two words: "meta," meaning change or alteration, and "mictos," which translates as "crumbs" or "fragments" in Greek. Overall, "metamict" refers to the disintegration or fragmentation of a mineral's crystal lattice structure, thus rendering it amorphous or lacking in a defined crystalline structure.

   The radiation damage responsible for a mineral becoming metamict can occur due to exposure to natural or artificial sources of radiation, such as radioactive elements or high-energy particles. Over time, the continuous bombardment of radiation causes the mineral's internal structure to break down, leading to changes in its physical, optical, and chemical properties.

   Metamict minerals typically exhibit characteristics such as increased density, reduced hardness, altered coloration, and decreased transparency. These alterations are a result of the loss of a well-defined crystallographic structure and the creation of defects within the mineral's lattice. Consequently, metamict minerals often have limited scientific or commercial value compared to their non-metamict counterparts.

   In summary, the term "metamict" describes a mineral or crystal structure that has undergone fragmentation and disintegration as a result of radiation damage, resulting in the loss of its crystalline structure and altered physical properties.

Common Misspellings for METAMICT

• metamist
• metalict
• netamict
• ketamict
• jetamict
• mwtamict
• mstamict
• mdtamict
• mrtamict
• m4tamict
• m3tamict
• meramict
• mefamict
• megamict
• meyamict
• me6amict
• me5amict
• metzmict
• metsmict
• metwmict

Etymology of METAMICT

The term "metamict" is derived from the combination of two words: "meta" and "mictic".

1. "Meta" (from Greek "metá"): In the context of this word, "meta" means "beyond", "change", or "transformation".

2. "Mictic" (from Latin "mictus" or "mico"): This word is related to the Latin verb "micare", which means "to quiver", "to flicker", or "to sparkle". In the field of mineralogy, "mictic" is used as a term to describe minerals that have become amorphous or lost their crystalline structure due to radiation damage or high levels of radiation.