from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Spinel \Spi*nel"\, Spinelle \Spi*nelle"\, n. [F. spinelle, or
LL. spinellus, perhaps from L. spina a thorn, a prickle, in
allusion to its pointed crystals.] (Min.)
A mineral occuring in octahedrons of great hardness and
various colors, as red, green, blue, brown, and black, the
red variety being the gem spinel ruby. It consist essentially
of alumina and magnesia, but commonly contains iron and
sometimes also chromium.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The spinel group includes spinel proper, also
magnetite, chromite, franklinite, gahnite, etc., all of
which may be regarded as composed of a sesquioxide and
a protoxide in equal proportions.
[1913 Webster]