pyrolusite

[ pahy-ruh-loo-sahyt, pahy-rol-yuh-sahyt ]
/ ˌpaɪ rəˈlu saɪt, paɪˈrɒl yəˌsaɪt /

noun

a common mineral, manganese dioxide, MnO2, the principal ore of manganese, used in various manufactures, as a decolorizer of brown or green tints in glass, and as a depolarizer in dry-cell batteries.

Origin of pyrolusite

1820–30; pyro- + Greek loûs(is) washing + -ite1

Example sentences from the Web for pyrolusite

British Dictionary definitions for pyrolusite

pyrolusite
/ (ˌpaɪrəʊˈluːsaɪt) /

noun

a blackish fibrous or soft powdery mineral consisting of manganese dioxide in tetragonal crystalline form. It occurs in association with other manganese ores and is an important source of manganese. Formula: MnO 2

Word Origin for pyrolusite

C19: from pyro- + Greek lousis a washing + -ite 1, from its use in purifying glass