autunite

[ awt-n-ahyt, oh-tuhn-ahyt ]

noun

1. a yellow mineral, a hydrous calcium uranium phosphate, CaU 2 P 2 O 12 ⋅8H 2 O, occurring in crystals as nearly square tablets: a minor ore of uranium.

autunite

/ ˈɔːtəˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a yellowish fluorescent radioactive mineral consisting of a hydrated calcium uranium phosphate in tetragonal crystalline form. It is found in uranium ores. Formula: Ca(UO 2 ) 2 (PO 4 ) 2 .10–12H 2 O

Word History and Origins

Origin of autunite¹

First recorded in 1850–55; named after Autun, a city in eastern France near source of supply; -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of autunite¹

C19: named after Autun in France, one of the places where it was found, + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

The yellow rocks were autunite, a uranium-bearing ore, and the strike looked like the most promising yet made in the U.S.

From Time Magazine Archive

Autunite, a hydrous phosphate of uranium and calcium, crystallizing in the rhombic system in yellow plates.

From Project Gutenberg

Autunite is usually found with pitchblende and other uranium minerals, or with ores of silver, tin and iron; it sometimes coats joint-planes in gneiss and pegmatite.

From Project Gutenberg