calcite

[ kal-sahyt ]

noun

1. one of the commonest minerals, calcium carbonate, CaCO 3 , found in a great variety of crystalline forms: a major constituent of limestone, marble, and chalk; calc-spar.

calcite

/ kælˈsɪtɪk; ˈkælsaɪt /

noun

1. a colourless or white mineral (occasionally tinged with impurities), found in sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, in veins, in limestone, and in stalagmites and stalactites. It is used in the manufacture of cement, plaster, paint, glass, and fertilizer. Composition: calcium carbonate. Formula: CaCO 3 . Crystal structure: hexagonal (rhombohedral)

calcite

/ kăl′sīt′ /

1. A usually white, clear, pale-yellow or blue orthorhombic mineral. Calcite occurs in many different forms and is the main component of chalk, limestone, and marble. It is a polymorph of aragonite. Chemical formula: CaCO 3 .

Derived Forms

• calcitic, adjective

Other Words From

• cal·cit·ic [kal-, sit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of calcite¹

First recorded in 1840–50; calc- + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Beneath a starfish’s skin lies a skeleton made of pebbly growths, called ossicles, which mostly consist of the mineral calcite.

From Science News

These carbon-bearing minerals, which are mostly “carbonates” like calcite and magnesite, can store the carbon dioxide for thousands of years.

From Popular-Science

Excavated calcite crystals hadn’t been modified in any way and had no apparent practical use, raising the possibility that these items held ritual or symbolic significance, Wilkins suspects.

From Science News

As water flows through a limestone cave, it leaves behind small deposits of minerals, which gradually build up into layers of calcite, like the one atop the pig painting.

From Ars Technica

Further chemical, X-ray and microscopic examinations revealed a thin layer of calcite containing high levels of magnesium.

From Science News

Her bones stick up from the ground, and water has sealed them with a sparkling calcite coating.

From The Daily Beast

Aragonite, a mineral formed of calcium carbonate crystallized in the rhombic system; specific gravity 2.94 (compare Calcite).

From Project Gutenberg

Sandstone mortar, eye in green glaze , the other objects as in N. 1, but with the addition of tablets of calcite and lead.

From Project Gutenberg

In the first class 74 are included sulphur and ammonium nitrate; monotropy is exhibited by aragonite and calcite.

From Project Gutenberg

The emerald occurs in nests of calcite in a black bituminous limestone containing ammonites of Lower Cretaceous age.

From Project Gutenberg

These cave formations are all composed of the mineral calcite, which forms all lime rock.

From Project Gutenberg