apatite

[ ap-uh-tahyt ]

noun

1. a common mineral, calcium fluorophosphate, Ca 5 FP 3 O 12 , occurring in individual crystals and in masses and varying in color, formerly used in the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers.

apatite

/ ˈæpəˌtaɪt /

noun

1. a pale green to purple mineral, found in igneous rocks and metamorphosed limestones. It is used in the manufacture of phosphorus, phosphates, and fertilizers. Composition: calcium fluorophosphate or calcium chlorophosphate. General formula: Ca 5 (PO 4 ,CO 3 ) 3 (F,OH,Cl). Crystal structure: hexagonal

apatite

/ ăp′ə-tīt′ /

1. Any of several usually green, transparent, hexagonal minerals consisting of calcium phosphate with either fluorine, hydroxyl, chlorine, or carbonate. Apatite occurs in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, and is used as a source of phosphate for making fertilizers. Chemical formula: Ca 5 (PO 4 CO 3 ) 3 (F,OH,Cl).

Word History and Origins

Origin of apatite¹

1795–1805; < Greek apát ( ē ) trickery, fraud, deceit + -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of apatite¹

C19: from German Apatit, from Greek apatē deceit; from its misleading similarity to other minerals

Example Sentences

Apatite, or mineral phosphate of lime, is found in large deposits in different places.

From Project Gutenberg

Apatite, ap′a-tīt, n. a phosphate of lime of great variety of colour.

From Project Gutenberg

Biotite, if present, is brown; epidote is yellow or colourless; rutile, apatite and quartz all occur with some frequency.

From Project Gutenberg

Phos′phorite, a massive radiated variety of apatite; Phos′phuret, a compound of phosphorus with a metal.

From Project Gutenberg

Apatite (phosphate of lime) and pyromorphite (phosphate of lead) contain a considerable amount of it.

From Project Gutenberg