montmorillonite

noun mont·mo·ril·lon·ite \ˌmänt-mə-ˈri-lə-ˌnīt, -ˈrē-ə-ˌnīt\

Definition of MONTMORILLONITE

: a soft clayey water-absorbent mineral that is a hydrous aluminum silicate

— mont·mo·ril·lon·it·ic \-ˌri-lə-ˈni-tik, -ˌrē-ə-ˈni-\ adjective

French, from Montmorillon, commune in western France

First Known Use: 1854

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