— quartzose /kwawrt"sohs/ , quartzous /kwawrt"seuhs/ , adj.
/kwawrts/ , n.
one of the commonest minerals, silicon dioxide, SiO 2 , having many varieties that differ in color, luster, etc., and occurring either in masses (as agate, bloodstone, chalcedony, jasper, etc.) or in crystals (as rock crystal, amethyst, citrine, etc.): the chief constituent of sand and sandstone, and an important constituent of many other rocks. It is piezoelectric and used to control the frequencies of radio transmitters.
[ 1750-60; Quarz ]