fluorite

[ floo r-ahyt, flawr-, flohr- ]
/ ˈflʊər aɪt, ˈflɔr-, ˈfloʊr- /

noun

a common mineral, calcium fluoride, CaF2, occurring in green, blue, purple, yellow, or colorless crystals, usually in cubes: the principal source of fluorine, used also as a flux in metallurgy and for ornament.
Also called fluor, fluorspar, fluor spar.

Origin of fluorite

From Italian, dating back to 1865–70; see origin at fluor-, -ite1

Example sentences from the Web for fluorite

British Dictionary definitions for fluorite

fluorite
/ (ˈflʊəraɪt) /

noun

US and Canadian a white or colourless mineral sometimes fluorescent and often tinted by impurities, found in veins and as deposits from hot gases. It is used in the manufacture of glass, enamel, and jewellery, and is the chief ore of fluorine. Composition: calcium fluoride. Formula: CaF 2 . Crystal structure: cubic Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): fluorspar, fluor

Scientific definitions for fluorite

fluorite
[ flurīt′ ]

A transparent to translucent mineral occurring in many colors, especially yellow and purple, and usually in cube-shaped crystals with octahedral cleavage. It is found in sedimentary rocks and in ore deposits within igneous rocks. It is often fluorescent in ultraviolet light. Chemical formula: CaF2.