chalcopyrite

American  

[kal-kuh-pahy-rahyt] / ˌkæl kəˈpaɪ raɪt /

noun

1. a very common mineral, copper iron sulfide, CuFeS 2 , occurring in brass-yellow crystals or masses: the most important ore of copper; copper pyrites.

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chalcopyrite British  

/ -ˈpaɪə-, ˌkælkəˈpaɪraɪt /

noun

1. Also called: copper pyrites.  a widely distributed yellow mineral consisting of a sulphide of copper and iron in tetragonal crystalline form: the principal ore of copper. Formula: CuFeS 2

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chalcopyrite Scientific  

/ kăl′kə-pī′rīt′ /

1. A brassy yellow, metallic, tetragonal mineral, usually occurring as shapeless masses of grains. Chalcopyrite is found in igneous rocks and copper-rich shales, and it is an important ore of copper. Because of its shiny look and often yellow color, it is sometimes mistaken for gold, and for this reason it is also called fool's gold. Chemical formula: CuFeS ₂ .

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Etymology

Origin of chalcopyrite

First recorded in 1825–35; chalco- + pyrite

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

• chalcopyrite vs. pyrite