chiastolite

1 definition found

chiastolite - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Chiastolite \Chi*as"to*lite\ (k[-i]*[a^]s"t[-o]*l[imac]t), n.
     [Gr. chiasto`s marked with a [chi] + -lite. See Chiasm. So
     called from the resemblance of the cross cuts of its crystals
     to the Greek letter [chi].] (Min.)
     A variety of andalusite; -- called also macle. The
     tessellated appearance of a cross section is due to the
     symmetrical arrangement of impurities in the crystal.
     [1913 Webster]