silica

n. [ NL., from L. silex, silics, a flint. ] (Chem.) Silicon dioxide, SiO&unr_;. It constitutes ordinary quartz (also opal and tridymite), and is artifically prepared as a very fine, white, tasteless, inodorous powder. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.[ Cf. F. silicate. ] (Chem.) A salt of silicic acid. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In mineralogical chemistry the silicates include; the unisilicates or orthosilicates, salts of orthosilicic acid; the bisilicates or metasilicates, salts of metasilicic acid; the polysilicates or acid silicates, salts of the polysilicic acids; the basic silicates or subsilicates, in which the equivalent of base is greater than would be required to neutralize the acid; and the hydrous silicates, including the zeolites and many hydrated decomposition products. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Chem.) Combined or impregnated with silicon or silica; as, silicated hydrogen; silicated rocks. [ 1913 Webster ]

Silicated soap, a hard soap containing silicate of soda. [ 1913 Webster ]