anhydrite

American  

[an-hahy-drahyt] / ænˈhaɪ draɪt /

noun

1. a mineral, anhydrous calcium sulfate, CaSO 4 , usually occurring in whitish or slightly colored masses.

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anhydrite British  

/ ænˈhaɪdraɪt /

noun

1. a colourless or greyish-white mineral, found in sedimentary rocks. It is used in the manufacture of cement, fertilizers, and chemicals. Composition: anhydrous calcium sulphate. Formula: CaSO 4 . Crystal structure: orthorhombic

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Etymology

Origin of anhydrite

First recorded in 1825–35; anhydr- + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

The impact also vaporized anhydrite rock, which blasted ten trillion tons of sulfur compounds aloft.

From The New Yorker • Mar. 29, 2019

The surveys revealed a multilayer foundation of anhydrite, marl, and limestone, all interspersed with gypsum—which dissolves in contact with water.

From The New Yorker • Dec. 25, 2016

It is rarely found perfectly pure in nature, but is commonly mixed with other saline materials, such as gypsum and anhydrite, and occasionally with salts of potassium and magnesium.

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

The name anhydrite was given by A. G. Werner in 1804, because of the absence of water, as contrasted with the presence of water in gypsum.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Part 1, Slice 1 by Various

From an aqueous solution calcium sulphate is deposited as crystals of gypsum, but when the solution contains an excess of sodium or potassium chloride anhydrite is deposited.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Part 1, Slice 1 by Various