alunite

American  

[al-yuh-nahyt] / ˈæl yəˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a mineral, a hydrous sulfate of potassium and aluminum, KAl 3 (SO4 ) 2 (OH) 6 , commonly occurring in fine-grained masses.

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alunite British  

/ ˈæljʊˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a white, grey, or reddish mineral consisting of hydrated aluminium sulphate. It occurs in volcanic igneous rocks and is a source of potassium and aluminium compounds. Formula: KAl 3 (SO 4 ) 2 (OH) 6

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Etymology

Origin of alunite

1865–70; < French alun (< Latin alūmen alum ¹ ) + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Both sites are near supplies of alunite ore, also not too far from titanic Grand Coulee, which could supply the juice.

From Time Magazine Archive

Only hitch in Eichelberger's plan is that visible U.S. supplies of alunite are enough for only 600,000,000 lb. of aluminum�less than six months' defense needs.

From Time Magazine Archive

Meanwhile, Kal-unite's engineer-president, Frank Eichelberger, started fiddling with alunite.

From Time Magazine Archive

A report recommending alunite as an aluminum source was prepared by the Bureau of Mines more than six weeks ago.

From Time Magazine Archive

One of the interesting features of this occurrence is the abundance of alunite.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)