tridymite

Meaning

Noun

• A rare mineral of volcanic rocks that solidified at a high temperature, with the chemical composition silicon dioxide, SiO_2</sub>. Tridymite is chemically identical to quartz, but has a different crystal structure. Sometimes contains sodium aluminum silicate, which seems to be expelled when quartz solidifies at lower temperatures.

Origin

• The name refers to the peculiar habit of crystallizing in groups of three individuals.