Mica

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: mi=ca

CIDE DICTIONARY

Mica, n. [L. mica crumb, grain, particle; cf. F. mica.].

 The name of a group of minerals characterized by highly perfect cleavage, so that they readily separate into very thin leaves, more or less elastic. They differ widely in composition, and vary in color from pale brown or yellow to green or black. The transparent forms are used in lanterns, the doors of stoves, etc., being popularly called isinglass. Formerly called also cat-silver, and glimmer.  [1913 Webster]

Mica diorite (Min.), an eruptive rock allied to diorite but containing mica (biotite) instead of hornblende. -- Mica powder, a kind of dynamite containing fine scales of mica. -- Mica schist, Mica slate (Geol.), a schistose rock, consisting of mica and quartz with, usually, some feldspar.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Mica, n. any of a group of silicate minerals with a layered structure, esp. muscovite.

Idiom

mica-schist (or slate) a fissile rock containing quartz and mica.

Derivative

micaceous adj.

Etymology

L, = crumb

ROGET THESAURUS

Mica

Semitransparency

N semitransparency, translucency, semiopacity, opalescence, milkiness, pearliness, gauze, muslin, film, mica, mother-of-pearl, nacre, mist, opal, turbidity, Adj, semitransparent, translucent, semipellucid, semidiaphanous, semiopacous, semiopaque, opalescent, opaline, pearly, milky, frosted, nacreous, semitransparent, translucent, semipellucid, semidiaphanous, semiopacous, semiopaque, opalescent, opaline, pearly, milky, frosted, nacreous, V, opalesce, (ii) SPECIFIC LIGHT.