noun
silica
SIHL-ih-kuh
noun
1
Silicon dioxide, the chemical compound that makes up sand, quartz, and most glass.
"Silica is the main ingredient in ordinary window glass."
How to Use Silica
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe chemical compound behind sand, quartz, and glass — silicon combined with oxygen.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "silica" (the compound, SiO2) with "silicon" (the element, Si) or "silicone" (the synthetic rubber-like polymer).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
silica sand
silica gel
silica dust
Word Forms
silicas plural
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_____ is the main ingredient in ordinary window glass.
Etymology
Coined in New Latin from Latin silex, "hard stone, flint."