sericite: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “sericite” mean?
A fine-grained, silky, muscovite mica.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fine-grained, silky, muscovite mica.
A specific, silvery-white variety of the mineral mica (muscovite), characterized by its fine, flaky texture. It commonly forms through the hydrothermal alteration of feldspar in rocks.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or usage differences. The term is identical in both dialects within technical contexts.
Connotations
Purely denotative; carries no cultural or emotional connotations beyond its scientific definition.
Frequency
Equally rare in both dialects, confined to specialist fields.
Grammar
How to Use “sericite” in a Sentence
The rock undergoes sericite alteration.The vein contains sericite.Sericite is associated with...Sericite, a type of mica, is found in...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sericite” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The sericitic alteration halo was extensive.
- A sericitic matrix bound the fragments.
American English
- The rock showed strong sericitic alteration.
- The ore is hosted in a sericitic shear zone.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in geology, earth science, and mineralogy papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary domain. Used in geological surveys, mining reports, petrographic descriptions, and academic research to describe a specific alteration mineral.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sericite”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sericite”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sericite”
- Mispronouncing it as /sɪˈraɪsaɪt/ or /ˈsɜːrɪsaɪt/.
- Using it as a general adjective for anything silky.
- Confusing it with 'serpentine', a completely different green mineral.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not typically as a commodity itself. Its importance lies as an indicator of specific geological processes (alteration) in mineral exploration and mining.
No. It is a fine-grained, often microscopic component of rocks, not a gemstone. You would not encounter it outside of a rock specimen in a collection.
Sericite is a specific variety of muscovite. All sericite is muscovite, but not all muscovite is sericite. Sericite is distinguished by its exceptionally fine grain size and silky lustre.
Specialist dictionaries and academic word lists include low-frequency technical terms for learners in specific fields (e.g., geology, materials science). It demonstrates how English creates precise terminology.
A fine-grained, silky, muscovite mica.
Sericite is usually technical/scientific in register.
Sericite: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɛrɪsʌɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɛrəˌsaɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a delicate silk scarf (SERI-cite) woven from tiny, shiny white mineral flakes.
Conceptual Metaphor
None applicable; it is a concrete, specific scientific term.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'sericite' primarily used?