apatite

[ ap-uh-tahyt ]

noun

1. a common mineral, calcium fluorophosphate, Ca 5 FP 3 O 12 , occurring in individual crystals and in masses and varying in color, formerly used in the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers.

apatite

/ ˈæpəˌtaɪt /

noun

1. a pale green to purple mineral, found in igneous rocks and metamorphosed limestones. It is used in the manufacture of phosphorus, phosphates, and fertilizers. Composition: calcium fluorophosphate or calcium chlorophosphate. General formula: Ca 5 (PO 4 ,CO 3 ) 3 (F,OH,Cl). Crystal structure: hexagonal

apatite

/ ăp′ə-tīt′ /

1. Any of several usually green, transparent, hexagonal minerals consisting of calcium phosphate with either fluorine, hydroxyl, chlorine, or carbonate. Apatite occurs in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, and is used as a source of phosphate for making fertilizers. Chemical formula: Ca 5 (PO 4 CO 3 ) 3 (F,OH,Cl).

Word History and Origins

Origin of apatite¹

1795–1805; < Greek apát ( ē ) trickery, fraud, deceit + -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of apatite¹

C19: from German Apatit, from Greek apatē deceit; from its misleading similarity to other minerals

Example Sentences

This work was focused primarily on the mineral apatite, which contains volatile elements in its mineral structure.

From Science Daily

Indeed, the resistance of the material, made of the mineral apatite with some of the lead atoms replaced by copper, is about 100 times higher than pure copper and other good conducting metals.

From New York Times

A paper posted by researchers in South Korea a few days ago claims that modifying the mineral apatite produces a superconductor that works at ordinary temperatures and pressures.

From New York Times

The researchers are inspecting a blue crystal of the mineral apatite for lines left by the decay of uranium, but it's a long shot.

From Science Magazine

He fished out bits of quartz, feldspar and apatite — a phosphate mineral like that found in bones and teeth.

From New York Times