An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A common rock-forming → mineral belonging to a group formed from → silicon and → oxygen combined with various elements and classified by their crystalline structures. SiO₄ in the shape of a tetrahedron is the main component of the group. It has been estimated that about 95% of the Earth’s crust is made up of silicate minerals. A salt of → silicic acid.

See also: From → silica + → -ate.