pyrite

[ pahy-rahyt ]

noun

1. a very common brass-yellow mineral, iron disulfide, FeS 2 , with a metallic luster, burned to sulfur dioxide in the manufacture of sulfuric acid: chemically similar to marcasite, but crystallizing in the isometric system.

pyrite

/ ˈpaɪraɪt; paɪˈrɪtɪk /

noun

1. a yellow mineral, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks and in veins. It is a source of sulphur and is used in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. Composition: iron sulphide. Formula: FeS 2 . Crystal structure: cubic Also callediron pyritespyrites Nontechnical namefool's gold

pyrite

/ pī′rīt′ /

1. A silver to yellow, metallic, cubic mineral. Pyrite often crystallizes in cubes or octahedrons but also occurs as shapeless masses of grains. It occurs in most types of rocks, and is used as a source of iron and in making sulfur dioxide. It is a polymorph of marcasite. Because of its shiny look and often yellow color, it is sometimes mistaken for gold and for this reason is also called fool's gold. Chemical formula: FeS 2 .

Derived Forms

• pyritic, adjective

Other Words From

• py·rit·ic [pahy-, rit, -ik, p, uh, -], py·riti·cal py·ri·tous [p, uh, -, rahy, -t, uh, s, pahy-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyrite¹

1560–70; < Latin pyrītēs < Greek pyrī́tēs, noun use of adj.: of fire, so called because it produces sparks when struck. See pyr-, -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyrite¹

C16: from Latin pyrites flint, from Greek puritēs ( lithos ) fire (stone), that is, capable of withstanding or striking fire, from pur fire

Example Sentences

It also comes with six mineral chips including Pyrite, Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Blue Clacite, Geode, and Green Fluorite.

From Popular-Science

Pyrite, pī′rīt, n. native iron disulphide of a pale-yellow colour and very hard—also Iron pyrites.

From Project Gutenberg

One was by striking a flint against a piece of pyrite of iron, the other by simply rubbing together two pieces of wood.

From Project Gutenberg

No spars are found accompanying the ore; iron pyrite is occasionally met with, and plumbago is found in the vicinity.

From Project Gutenberg

The mineral is harder than chalcocite, but less hard than pyrite, being easily scratched with a knife.

From Project Gutenberg

Pyrite consists of iron and sulphur; magnetite, hematite, and limonite are oxides of iron.

From Project Gutenberg