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fluorapatite

American  
[floor-ap-uh-tahyt, flawr-, flohr-] / flʊərˈæp əˌtaɪt, flɔr-, floʊr- /

noun

  1. a crystalline mineral, Ca 5 (PO4 ) 3 F, formed from hydroxyapatite in the presence of fluoride, that has a hardening effect on bones and teeth.

fluorapatite British  
/ ˌflʊəˈræpətaɪt /

noun

  1. a mineral consisting of calcium fluorophosphate; the most common form of apatite

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of fluorapatite

First recorded in 1880–85; from German Fluorapatit; see fluor-, apatite

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Since it lacks a hydroxide ion, fluorapatite is more resistant to attacks by acids in our mouths and is thus less soluble, protecting our teeth.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Fluoride can displace the hydroxyl group in bone’s hydroxyapatite crystals and form fluorapatite.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Similar to its effect on dental enamel, fluorapatite helps stabilize and strengthen bone mineral.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.