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Webster 1913 Edition


Blende

Blende

,
Noun.
[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
.]
(Min.)
(a)
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.
(b)
A general term for some minerals, chiefly metallic sulphides which have a somewhat brilliant but nonmetallic luster.