aragonite

[ uh-rag-uh-nahyt, ar-uh-guh- ]
/ əˈræg əˌnaɪt, ˈær ə gə- /

noun

a mineral, orthorhombic calcium carbonate, CaCO3, chemically identical with calcite but differing in crystallization and in having a higher specific gravity and less marked cleavage.

Origin of aragonite

1795–1805; named after Aragon (the province, where first found) + -ite1

Words nearby aragonite

arafura sea, aragats, arago man, aragon, aragonese, aragonite, araguaia, araguarí, araguaya, araguaía, arak

Example sentences from the Web for aragonite

British Dictionary definitions for aragonite

aragonite
/ (əˈræɡəˌnaɪt) /

noun

a generally white or grey mineral, found in sedimentary rocks and as deposits from hot springs. Composition: calcium carbonate. Formula: CaCO 3 . Crystal structure: orthorhombic

Word Origin for aragonite

C19: from Aragon + -ite 1

Scientific definitions for aragonite

aragonite
[ ə-răg′ə-nīt′, ăr′ə-gə- ]

A usually white, yellowish, or pink orthorhombic mineral that can occur in many different colors. Aragonite occurs as acicular (needlelike) or tabular crystals, or as fibrous aggregates. It is found in gypsum deposits, at the tips of calcite crystals, in mollusk shells and pearls, and in living reef structures. It is a polymorph of calcite. Chemical formula: CaCO3.