blende

• POS: Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

blende, n. [G., fr. blenden to blind, dazzle, deceive, fr. blind blind. So called either in allusion to its dazzling luster; or (Dana) because, though often resembling galena, it yields no lead. Cf. Sphalerite.].

 A mineral, called also sphalerite, and by miners mock lead, false galena, and black-jack. It is a zinc sulphide, but often contains some iron. Its color is usually yellow, brown, or black, and its luster resinous.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

blende, n. any naturally occurring metal sulphide, esp. zinc blende.

Etymology

G f. blenden deceive, so called because while often resembling galena it yielded no lead