n. A plagioclase feldspar, the second member of the Albite-Anorthite solid solution series. Primarily found as small crystals in impure marble. Oligoclase contains a small amount of calcium substituting for some of the sodium in its formula. Oligoclase with reddish-golden inclusions found in Norway and Canada is called sunstone.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. A triclinic soda-lime feldspar. See feldspar.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. A soda-lime triclinic feldspar, the soda predominating. See feldspar.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. any of a series of triclinic feldspars that form rocks
Word Usage
"It must be remembered, however, that it is only the orthoclase or potash felspars which contain large quantities of potash -- other felspathic rocks, such as oligoclase and labradorite, being comparatively poor in it."