a pale brown, or green, or colourless mineral of the mica group, found in plutonic rocks such as granite and in sedimentary rocks. It is used in the manufacture of lubricants, insulators, paints, and Christmas "snow". Composition: potassium aluminium silicate. Formula: KAl2(AlSi3)O10(OH)2. Crystal structure: monoclinic
See also mica
Word origin
C19: from the phrase Muscovy glass, an early name for mica
Muscovite in British English
(ˈmʌskəˌvaɪt)
noun
1.
a native or inhabitant of Moscow
adjective
2. an archaic word for Russian
Muscovite in American English
(ˈmʌskəˌvaɪt)
noun
1.
a.
a person born or living in Muscovy
b.
a Russian
2.
a person born or living in Moscow
adjective
3.
a.
of Muscovy
b.
Russian
4.
of Moscow
muscovite in American English
(ˈmʌskəˌvaɪt)
noun
a very common, light-colored, soft mica, hydrous potassium aluminum silicate, KAl2(AlSi3)O10(OH)2, used as an electrical or thermal insulator