vermiculite

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: ver=mic=u=lite

CIDE DICTIONARY

vermiculite, n. [L. vermiculus, dim. of vermis worm.].

 A group of minerals having, a micaceous structure. They are hydrous silicates, derived generally from the alteration of some kind of mica. So called because the scales, when heated, open out into wormlike forms.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

vermiculite, n. a hydrous silicate mineral usu. resulting from alteration of mica, and expandable into sponge by heating, used as an insulation material.

Etymology

as VERMICULATE + -ITE(1)