monazite Min.
(ˈmɒnəzaɪt)
[Named by Breithaupt, 1829 (Ger. monazit), f. Gr. µονάζειν, to be solitary, on account of its rarity.]
Phosphate of the cerium metals, found in small, reddish or brownish crystals (A. H. Chester).
| 1836 T. Thomson Min., Geol., etc. I. 672 Monazite... This name was given by Breithaupt to a mineral brought by Fielder from the Uralian mountains. 1865 Watts Dict. Chem., Monazite. Edwardsite, Mengite, Eremite. A phosphate of cerium and lanthanum, also containing thorinum according to some authorities. 1903 Edin. Rev. Oct. 388 The North Carolinian monazite. |