sylvite

American  

[sil-vahyt] / ˈsɪl vaɪt /

Also sylvin,

noun

1. a common mineral, potassium chloride, KCl, colorless to milky-white or red, occurring in crystals, usually cubes, and masses with cubic cleavage, bitter in taste: the most important source of potassium.

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sylvite British  

/ ˈsɪlvaɪt, ˈsɪlviːn /

noun

1. a soluble colourless, white, or coloured mineral consisting of potassium chloride in cubic crystalline form with sodium impurities: it occurs chiefly in sedimentary beds and is an important ore of potassium. Formula: KCl

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Etymology

Origin of sylvite

1965–70; < Latin ( sal digestīvus ) Sylvi ( ī ) digestive salt of Sylvius ( see Sylvian fissure) + -ite ¹; replacing sylvine < French