*iolite*

n. [ Gr. 'i`on a violet + -lite. ] (Min.) A silicate of alumina, iron, and magnesia, having a bright blue color and vitreous luster; cordierite. It is remarkable for its dichroism, and is also called dichroite. A variety called Caribbean iolite has a lighter blue color. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

n. (Paleon.) A fossil shell of, or similar to, the genus Miliola. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. The same Miliolitic. [ 1913 Webster ]

Miliolite limestone (Geol.), a building stone, one of the group of the Paris basin, almost entirely made up of many-chambered microscopic shells. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. radius ray + -lite: cf. F. radiolithe. ] (Paleon.) A hippurite. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Septa + -lite. ] (Min.) Meerschaum. See Meerschaum. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. spoggia` sponge + -lite. ] (Paleon.) One of the microscopic siliceous spicules which occur abundantly in the texture of sponges, and are sometimes found fossil, as in flints. [ 1913 Webster ]