calcite

[ kal-sahyt ]
/ ˈkæl saɪt /

noun

one of the commonest minerals, calcium carbonate, CaCO3, found in a great variety of crystalline forms: a major constituent of limestone, marble, and chalk; calc-spar.

Origin of calcite

First recorded in 1840–50; calc- + -ite1

OTHER WORDS FROM calcite

cal·cit·ic [kal-sit-ik] /kælˈsɪt ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby calcite

calciphile, calciphilia, calciphobe, calciphylaxis, calciprivic, calcite, calcitonin, calcitriol, calcium, calcium antagonist, calcium arsenate

Example sentences from the Web for calcite

British Dictionary definitions for calcite

calcite
/ (ˈkælsaɪt) /

noun

a colourless or white mineral (occasionally tinged with impurities), found in sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, in veins, in limestone, and in stalagmites and stalactites. It is used in the manufacture of cement, plaster, paint, glass, and fertilizer. Composition: calcium carbonate. Formula: CaCO 3 . Crystal structure: hexagonal (rhombohedral)

Derived forms of calcite

calcitic (kælˈsɪtɪk), adjective

Scientific definitions for calcite

calcite
[ kăl′sīt′ ]

A usually white, clear, pale-yellow or blue orthorhombic mineral. Calcite occurs in many different forms and is the main component of chalk, limestone, and marble. It is a polymorph of aragonite. Chemical formula: CaCO3.