Amphibole
/ˈæm.fɪ.boʊl/noun
A group of rock-forming silicate minerals, typically occurring as elongated crystals.
Did you know?Amphibole was named for its variable, hard-to-classify crystal habits, from Greek amphibolos, meaning “ambiguous” or “double-minded,” which is why the word feels so strangely mystical.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
amphibolos
“ambiguous, doubtful, or throwing on both sides”
Late Latin
Latin
amphibolus
“ambiguous”
Early Modern Scientific Latin
Latin
amphibolus
“a mineral name applied to a class of silicate minerals”
18th Century
French
amphibole
“a mineralogical term adopted into scientific classification”
Modern English
English
amphibole
“a group of silicate minerals, including hornblende and related species”
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