Hōrn'blēnde, n.

n. [Ger., from horn, horn, and blende, blende, q. v.] (Min.) A common mineral, occurring massive or in prismatic crystals, and of various colors, from white, through green shades, to black. The crystals are often long and slender, blade-like or mere fibers. The black variety is called hornblende; the green, actinolite; the white, tremolite, or white hornblende; the fibrous, asbestos. This mineral consists essentially of silica combined with magnesia, lime, or iron.