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Pyrite
//ˈpaɪˌɹaɪt// noun
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The common mineral iron disulfide (FeS₂), of a pale brass-yellow color and brilliant metallic luster, crystallizing in the isometric system.
"The pyrite output in 1961 was 1.2 million tons, derived mainly from the Hsiang Shan mine in Anhwei and the Ying-te mine in Kwangtung."
- 2 a common mineral (iron disulfide) that has a pale yellow color wordnet
- 3 Any metallic-looking sulphide, such as the above, which is the most common. usually
- 4 (usually as a plural: pyrites) Any metal dichalcogenide that is isostructural to the common mineral.
"Copper diselenide can occur both as a marcasite and a pyrite."
Etymology
Recorded since 1555, from Old French pyrite (12th century), from Latin pȳritēs, from Ancient Greek πυρίτης λίθος (purítēs líthos, “stone of fire, flint”) (so called because it glitters), notably the first part: adjective πυρίτης (purítēs, “of or in fire”), from πῦρ (pûr, “fire”). Analyzable as pyr- + -ite
See also for "pyrite"
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