pyrite
[ pahy-rahyt ]
/ ˈpaɪ raɪt /
noun
a very common brass-yellow mineral, iron disulfide, FeS2, with a metallic luster, burned to sulfur dioxide in the manufacture of sulfuric acid: chemically similar to marcasite, but crystallizing in the isometric system.
Also
pyrites.
Also called
iron pyrites.
Origin of pyrite
OTHER WORDS FROM pyrite
py·rit·ic [pahy-rit-ik, puh-] /paɪˈrɪt ɪk, pə-/, py·rit·i·cal, py·ri·tous [puh-rahy-tuh s, pahy-] /pəˈraɪ təs, paɪ-/, adjectiveWords nearby pyrite
pyridoxine,
pyriform,
pyrimethamine,
pyrimidine,
pyriphlegethon,
pyrite,
pyrites,
pyritohedron,
pyro,
pyro-,
pyrobitumen
Example sentences from the Web for pyrite
British Dictionary definitions for pyrite
pyrite
/ (ˈpaɪraɪt) /
noun
a yellow mineral, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks and in veins. It is a source of sulphur and is used in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. Composition: iron sulphide. Formula: FeS 2 . Crystal structure: cubic
Also called: iron pyrites, pyrites Nontechnical name: fool's gold
Derived forms of pyrite
pyritic (paɪˈrɪtɪk) or pyritous, adjectiveWord Origin for pyrite
C16: from Latin
pyrites flint, from Greek
puritēs (
lithos) fire (stone), that is, capable of withstanding or striking fire, from
pur fire
Scientific definitions for pyrite
pyrite
[ pī′rīt′ ]
A silver to yellow, metallic, cubic mineral. Pyrite often crystallizes in cubes or octahedrons but also occurs as shapeless masses of grains. It occurs in most types of rocks, and is used as a source of iron and in making sulfur dioxide. It is a polymorph of marcasite. Because of its shiny look and often yellow color, it is sometimes mistaken for gold and for this reason is also called fool's gold. Chemical formula: FeS2.