Zē'o-lite, n.

(49), n. [Fr. zéolithe, from Gr. ζέειν, to boil, and λίθος, stone.] (Min.) A mineral species in the early works on mineralogy, now subdivided into several, both on chemical and crystallographical grounds. Some of them are stilbite, natrolite, apophyllite, scolecite, laumonite. The term is now used to designate a family including these and other hydrous silicates of alumina, with some of the earths or alkalies. These species are most abundant in the cavities of amygdaloids, basalts, and lavas, though occasionally found in granite or gneiss. They are always subsequent in origin to the formation of the containing rock. Dana.