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Glite Dictionary
mineral association

mineral association

5.6
A group of minerals that are often found together in the same rock
  • noun
  • /ˈmɪnərəl əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : asociación mineral
  • The mineral association in granite includes quartz and feldspar.

Examples

  • The mineral association in this rock suggests it originated from a hydrothermal environment.

  • Geologists study the mineral associations in sedimentary rocks.

  • Geologists studied the mineral association to better understand the formation of the granite.

  • Identifying the mineral association can help determine the conditions under which the rock formed.

  • Geologists studied the mineral association to better understand how different minerals interact in the rock.

  • Identifying the mineral association can reveal important information about the geological history of the area.

  • The mineral association found in this sample indicates that it formed in a volcanic environment.

Surface Forms

mineral association singular
mineral associations plural

Morphology

mineral + association

The phrase literally combines 'mineral' (a naturally formed inorganic substance) with 'association' (a grouping or connection), so the meaning 'a group of minerals found together' is directly derivable from the parts. Although 'association' can have technical senses in chemistry, the common sense of a grouping is cross-linguistically familiar, making this immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner who knows both words.

Etymology

Mineral association pictures different minerals that 'gather' together in the same rock because they formed under the same conditions. So, mineral association means a 'group' of minerals commonly 'found together' and helps scientists understand how the rock formed.