blende Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an ore that is the chief source of zinc; consists largely of zinc sulfide in crystalline form
    sphalerite; zinc blende.

WordNet

Blende noun
Etymology
G., fr. blenden to blind, dazzle, deceive, fr. blind blind. So called either in allusion to its dazzling luster; or (Dana) because, though often resembling galena, it yields no lead. Cf. Sphalerite.
Definitions
  1. (Min.) (a) A mineral, called also sphalerite, and by miners mock lead, false galena, and black-jack. It is a zinc sulphide, but often contains some iron. Its color is usually yellow, brown, or black, and its luster resinous. (b) A general term for some minerals, chiefly metallic sulphides which have a somewhat brilliant but nonmetallic luster.

Webster 1913