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feldspar

a common rock-forming mineral

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Where does the word "feldspar" come from? It comes from German Feldspat, and was adopted directly into English (1750s).

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Where does the word "feldspar" come from? It comes from German Feldspat, and was adopted directly into English (1750s).

Feldspar’s story begins in German: Feldspat meant “field spar.” 'field spar', from 'Feld', field, and 'Spat', a flaky mineral; English later linked it to 'Fels', rock. It reached English by 1750s as feldspar. Borrowed from German mineralogy. Today, feldspar means a common rock-forming mineral.

  1. Stage 1 · German · 1700s Feldspat "field spar", 'field spar', from 'Feld', field, and 'Spat', a flaky mineral; English later linked it to 'Fels', rock.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1750s feldspar "feldspar", borrowed from German mineralogy.

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