aragonite

American  

[uh-rag-uh-nahyt, ar-uh-guh-] / əˈræg əˌnaɪt, ˈær ə gə- /

noun

1. a mineral, orthorhombic calcium carbonate, CaCO 3 , chemically identical with calcite but differing in crystallization and in having a higher specific gravity and less marked cleavage.

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aragonite British  

/ əˈræɡəˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a generally white or grey mineral, found in sedimentary rocks and as deposits from hot springs. Composition: calcium carbonate. Formula: CaCO 3 . Crystal structure: orthorhombic

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aragonite Scientific  

/ ə-răg′ə-nīt′,ăr′ə-gə- /

1. A usually white, yellowish, or pink orthorhombic mineral that can occur in many different colors. Aragonite occurs as acicular (needlelike) or tabular crystals, or as fibrous aggregates. It is found in gypsum deposits, at the tips of calcite crystals, in mollusk shells and pearls, and in living reef structures. It is a polymorph of calcite. Chemical formula: CaCO ₃ .

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Etymology

Origin of aragonite

1795–1805; named after Aragon (the province, where first found) + -ite ¹

Compare meaning

How does aragonite compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• aragonite vs. calcite

Example Sentences

Aragonite passes into calcite in the course of geological time, but is important as the mineral precipitated to form the oolitic limestones of warm seas, and from being the material of most molluscan shells.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2 Amiel to Atrauli by Various

Aragonite, ar′a-gon-īt, n. a variety of calcium carbonate.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

Aragonite occurs in very small masses, of a light yellow color and fibrous structure, between layers of serpentine.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 415, December 15, 1883 by Various

Aragonite is the more unstable of the two modifications of calcium carbonate.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 3 "Apollodorus" to "Aral" by Various

Aragonite is the most familiar example of this form.

From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by McPherson, William