stibnite: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/TechnicalSpecialized/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “stibnite” mean?
The principal ore of antimony, a lead-grey mineral with a metallic lustre, composed of antimony trisulfide (Sb₂S₃).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The principal ore of antimony, a lead-grey mineral with a metallic lustre, composed of antimony trisulfide (Sb₂S₃).
In historical and alchemical contexts, it may refer to crude antimony or related compounds used in early metallurgy and medicine.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Pronunciation differs slightly.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse, confined to specialized fields.
Grammar
How to Use “stibnite” in a Sentence
The [LOCATION] contains significant stibnite deposits.[PROCESS] of antimony from stibnite is complex.The [SPECIMEN] showed typical stibnite cleavage.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stibnite” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The Cornish mine was once a major source of stibnite.
- Under the microscope, the stibnite exhibited perfect acicular cleavage.
American English
- Stibnite from the Yellow Pine Mine in Idaho is famous among collectors.
- The geologist identified the metallic grey mineral as stibnite.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in reports on mining or commodity markets dealing with antimony.
Academic
Common in geology, mineralogy, and chemistry papers discussing ore minerals or antimony sources.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Standard term in geological surveys, mining engineering, and metallurgical processes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stibnite”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stibnite”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stibnite”
- Confusing 'stibnite' with the element 'antimony'. Stibnite is the ore/mineral; antimony is the extracted metal.
- Mispronouncing as /staɪbnaɪt/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, stibnite contains antimony and sulfur. Antimony compounds are toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust, similar to arsenic.
Significant deposits exist in China, Bolivia, Russia, and historically in parts of Europe. It forms in low-temperature hydrothermal veins.
It typically appears as metallic, lead-grey crystals that are often elongated, prismatic, or in radiating masses. It has a distinctive streak.
Historically, it was used as a cosmetic (kohl) and in medieval medicine. Today, its primary use is as the main ore for antimony, which is used in flame retardants, batteries, and alloys.
The principal ore of antimony, a lead-grey mineral with a metallic lustre, composed of antimony trisulfide (Sb₂S₃).
Stibnite is usually specialized/scientific in register.
Stibnite: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɪbnaɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɪbˌnaɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(None)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'STIBNite' contains 'Sb', the chemical symbol for antimony (from Latin 'stibium').
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable; highly technical referent.
Practice
Quiz
What is the chemical composition of stibnite?