alunite

[ al-yuh-nahyt ]

noun

1. a mineral, a hydrous sulfate of potassium and aluminum, KAl 3 (SO 4 ) 2 (OH) 6 , commonly occurring in fine-grained masses.

alunite

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of alunite¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of alunite¹

C19: from French alun alum (from Latin alūmen ) + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Alunite, al′un-īt, n. a mineral consisting of common alum together with normal hydrate of aluminium.

From Project Gutenberg

Alum-rock, or alum-stone, is a species of impure alunite, and is not of very common occurrence.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Goldfield camp (p. 230) the ores are closely associated with alunite in such a manner as to suggest a common origin.

From Project Gutenberg

Alunite is a potassium-aluminum sulphate, which differs from sericite in that sulphur takes the place of silicon.

From Project Gutenberg

Alunite occurs as veins and replacement deposits, often in igneous associations, and is supposed to be of igneous source.

From Project Gutenberg