Silicate

Silicate is a term used in the fields of mineralogy and chemistry.

Mineralogy

Mineral formed from a tetrahedral repeating unit (SiO₄) having one atom of silicon at the centre and oxygen atoms at the four vertices. Silicates make up the main mineral family: feldspars, feldspathoids, quartz, pyroxenes, olivine etc.; they enter into the composition of the majority of igneous or metamorphic rocks.

Chemistry

Salt or ester of a silicic acid.