spherulite: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “spherulite” mean?
A small spherical aggregate of needle-shaped crystals radiating from a central point, commonly found in volcanic rocks.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small spherical aggregate of needle-shaped crystals radiating from a central point, commonly found in volcanic rocks.
In materials science, similar spherical structures can form in polymers or other crystalline materials, often indicating specific cooling or crystallization conditions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; the term is standard in scientific contexts globally.
Connotations
Neutral in both variants, with a precise technical meaning.
Frequency
Equally rare in everyday language but common in academic and technical fields such as geology and materials science.
Grammar
How to Use “spherulite” in a Sentence
[rock] contains spherulitesspherulites of [mineral type]spherulites in [matrix]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spherulite” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- The crystals grew spherulitically from the nucleation point.
adjective
British English
- The rock exhibited a spherulitic texture under the microscope.
American English
- Spherulitic formations were observed in the polymer sample.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not typically used in business contexts.
Academic
Common in geology, mineralogy, and materials science research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Rarely used in everyday conversation; mostly limited to specialized discussions.
Technical
Frequently used in technical descriptions of rock textures, crystallization processes, and material properties.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spherulite”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spherulite”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spherulite”
- Misspelling as 'sphereulite' or 'sferulite'.
- Mispronouncing with stress on the second syllable, e.g., /sfɪˈruːlaɪt/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A spherulite is a small spherical aggregate of needle-shaped crystals that radiate from a central point, typically found in volcanic rocks like rhyolite and obsidian.
In British English, it's pronounced /ˈsfɪər.jʊ.laɪt/, and in American English, /ˈsfɪr.ə.laɪt/.
Spherulites are commonly found in igneous rocks, especially in volcanic glass such as obsidian, and can also occur in certain polymers and synthetic materials.
Yes, related terms include 'spherulitic' (adjective describing something with spherulites) and in broader contexts, similar structures might be called radial aggregates or crystalline spheres.
A small spherical aggregate of needle-shaped crystals radiating from a central point, commonly found in volcanic rocks.
Spherulite is usually technical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'sphere' + 'lite' – imagine a lightweight sphere, but it's actually a spherical crystal structure found in rocks.
Conceptual Metaphor
Used metaphorically to describe any spherical, radial pattern, such as in art, design, or organizational structures where elements radiate from a center.
Practice
Quiz
What is a spherulite?