vitreous silica
- noun
- /ˈvɪtriəs ˈsɪlɪkə/
- Specialized
:
sílice vítrea
- Laboratory equipment made from vitreous silica is highly resistant to sudden temperature changes.
Examples
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Because of its purity, vitreous silica is essential in the production of optical fibers.
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The furnace lining was constructed using panels of vitreous silica to withstand intense heat.
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The laboratory uses vitreous silica for its high thermal stability.
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Can you provide a sample of vitreous silica?
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Because of its purity, vitreous silica is essential in the production of optical fibers.
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Laboratory equipment made from vitreous silica is highly resistant to sudden temperature changes.
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The furnace lining was constructed using panels of vitreous silica to withstand intense heat.
Synonyms
2
5.3
A clear glass that resists heat and chemicals used for lab tools and scientific instruments
1
6.8
A clear, hard material made mostly from pure sand that resists high heat and chemicals
A natural clear glass made mostly of sand when lightning or meteors melt it
How Pure
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines the adjective 'vitreous' (glasslike) with the noun 'silica' (silicon dioxide), so its meaning as a glassy form of silica is directly derivable from the constituents. This adjective+noun composition follows ordinary English compounding patterns and is cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both words would likely understand the MWE.
Etymology
Vitreous silica gets its name from the idea of glass: vitreous means 'glass' and silica is the mineral that makes glass, so the phrase pictures very pure, clear glass made of silica. Because it is almost pure silica and acts like glass, it is used for lab and industrial parts that must stand high heat and strong chemicals, which is why the name fits its modern meaning.