halite

[ hal-ahyt, hey-lahyt ]
/ ˈhæl aɪt, ˈheɪ laɪt /

noun

a soft white or colorless mineral, sodium chloride, NaCl, occurring in cubic crystals with perfect cleavage; rock salt.

Origin of halite

First recorded in 1865–70; hal- + -ite1

Example sentences from the Web for halite

British Dictionary definitions for halite

halite
/ (ˈhælaɪt) /

noun

a colourless or white mineral sometimes tinted by impurities, found in beds as an evaporite. It is used to produce common salt and chlorine. Composition: sodium chloride. Formula: NaCl. Crystal structure: cubic Also called: rock salt

Word Origin for halite

C19: from New Latin halītes; see halo-, -ite ²

Scientific definitions for halite

halite
[ hălīt′, hālīt′ ]

A colorless or white mineral occurring as cubic crystals. Halite is found in dried lakebeds in arid climates and is used as table salt. Chemical formula: NaCl. See more at salt.