mica
n. C1 Advanced US //ˈmaɪkə// UK //mˈaɪkɐ// mi·ca
n. a type of mineral that is used to make things like paint, glass, and electrical parts. It is famous for being very thin and shiny, like a sheet of paper.
n. a group of silicate minerals that exhibit a pearly luster and are easily split into thin, flexible sheets. Often used as an insulator or a filler in industrial applications.
The paint contains mica to give it a shiny finish.
Engineers use mica in the insulation of high-voltage electrical equipment because it can withstand extreme heat.
Geologists identify mica by its distinctive cleavage, which allows the mineral to be separated into thin, transparent plates that reflect light in a unique way.
Borrowed from Latin mīca (“grain, crumb”).