an amphibole mineral consisting of calcium magnesium silicate in monoclinic crystalline form; a source of jade that is less valuable than from jadeite; once believed to cure kidney disorders
a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances; especially, the anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol
Created on Mon Jan 21 13:06:08 EST 2008
(updated Wed Mar 04 19:43:03 EST 2009)
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