atacamite

[ at-uh-kam-ahyt, uh-tak-uh-mahyt ]

noun

1. a mineral, hydrated chloride of copper, Cu 2 Cl(OH) 3 , occurring in a green, granular form: a minor ore of copper.

Word History and Origins

Origin of atacamite¹

1830–40; named after Atacama Desert; -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Atacamite is a comparatively rare mineral, formed in some cases by the action of sea-water on various copper-ores, and occurring also as a volcanic product on Vesuvian lavas.

From Project Gutenberg

Atacamite, in a pulverulent state, was formerly used as a pounce under the name of “Peruvian green sand,” and was known in Chile as arsenillo.

From Project Gutenberg

Atacamite, CuCl2 + 3 CuO2H2—Cl .

From Project Gutenberg

Ores.—The principal ores of copper are the oxides cuprite and melaconite, the carbonates malachite and chessylite, the basic chloride atacamite, the silicate chrysocolla, the sulphides chalcocite, chalcopyrite, erubescite and tetrahedrite.

From Project Gutenberg

The oxychloride Cu4O3Cl2, 4H2O occurs in nature as the mineral atacamite.

From Project Gutenberg