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uraninite

uraninite

9.9
A dark mineral that contains a lot of uranium and is radioactive
  • noun
  • /ˈjʊərəˌnaɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : uraninita
  • Geologists discovered large deposits of uraninite in the riverbed during their exploration.

Examples

  • The scientist studied the uraninite samples to understand their uranium content and structure.

  • Virtually all reactors now working have ceramic—uranium dioxide, known as uraninite when found in a streambed—inside the cladding.

    Blog text (5)
  • Uraninite is an important mineral for mining companies because it is the primary source of uraninite.

Synonyms

uranium ore
vsuraninite
  • Specialized
2 8.2

A rock that has uranium and is mined for nuclear fuel

is a specific mineral type that commonly serves as the chief ore
pitchblende
vsuraninite
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A dark heavy mineral that contains uranium and is the main ore used to get uranium

is the general mineral term, called that when found in massive form

Surface Forms

uraninite singular
uraninites plural

Morphology

uraninite = uranium (transparent) = uranium + ite

Formed by the element name 'uranium' plus the mineral-forming suffix '-ite', so the word denotes a mineral of uranium in an obvious way.

Etymology

The word uraninite comes from the element uranium plus the mineral ending -ite, and uranium was named after the planet Uranus, whose name means 'sky'. So uraninite is the mineral that contains uranium.