marcasite

[ mahr-kuh-sahyt ]

noun

1. Also called white iron pyrites. a common mineral, iron disulfide, FeS 2 , chemically similar to pyrite but crystallizing in the orthorhombic system.
2. any of the crystallized forms of iron pyrites, much used in the 18th century for ornaments.
3. a specimen or ornament of this substance.

marcasite

/ ˈmɑːkəˌsaɪt; ˌmɑːkəˈsɪtɪkəl /

noun

1. a metallic pale yellow mineral consisting of iron sulphide in orthorhombic crystalline form used in jewellery. Formula: FeS 2
2. a cut and polished form of steel or any white metal used for making jewellery

marcasite

/ mär′kə-sīt′,-zīt′ /

1. A light yellow to gray, metallic, orthorhombic mineral. Marcasite is a polymorph of pyrite and looks similar to it but has a lower specific gravity, is paler in color, and often has a radiating fibrous structure. Chemical formula: FeS 2 .

Derived Forms

• marcasitical, adjective

Other Words From

• mar·ca·sit·i·cal [mahr-k, uh, -, sit, -i-k, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of marcasite¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin marcasīta < Arabic marqashīṭā < Aramaic marqəshītā

Word History and Origins

Origin of marcasite¹

C15: from Medieval Latin marcasīta, from Arabic marqashītā, perhaps from Persian

Example Sentences

Instead, Lagerfeld explored the darkness of malachite, iron ore, and marcasite.

From The Daily Beast

As neat a shape as you would see in a day's journey, with the prettiest color, and eyes as bright as those marcasite buttons!

From Project Gutenberg

Marcasite is thus the less stable of the two modifications of iron disulphide.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a noteworthy fact that whilst pyrites has been prepared artificially, marcasite has not.

From Project Gutenberg

Marcasite occurs under the same conditions as pyrites, but is much less common.

From Project Gutenberg

Yellow sulphuret of iron, commonly called Marcasite, or Martial pyrites.

From Project Gutenberg