Word Study
columbite
CIDE DICTIONARY
columbite, n. [Cf. F. colombite. See Columbium.].
A mineral of a black color, submetallic luster, and high specific specific gravity. It is a niobate (or columbate) of iron and manganese, containing tantalate of iron; -- first found in New England. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
columbite, n. US Chem. an ore of iron and niobium found in America.
Etymology
Columbia, a poetic name for America, + -ITE(1)
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