Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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noun
A hydrated silicate mineral which expands on heating; it is used in insulation and as a medium for planting.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Topics: chemistry, geography, geology, mineralogy, natural-sciences, physical-sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
any of a group of yellow or brown hydrous silicate minerals having a micaceous structure
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: mineral
History
From Latin vermiculus (“wormlet”), for its fibrous nature and tendency to expand into worm-like shapes when heated.
Across languages
8 source translations are retained for this English entry.
