alunite

[ al-yuh-nahyt ]

noun

a mineral, a hydrous sulfate of potassium and aluminum, KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6, commonly occurring in fine-grained masses.

Origin of alunite

1865–70; <French alun (<Latin alūmenalum¹) + -ite¹

Also called al·um·stone [al-uhm-stohn]. /ˈæl əmˌstoʊn/.

Words Nearby alunite

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use alunite in a sentence

alunite, al′un-īt, n. a mineral consisting of common alum together with normal hydrate of aluminium.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) | Various
Alum-rock, or alum-stone, is a species of impure alunite, and is not of very common occurrence.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I | Arnold Cooley
In the Goldfield camp (p. 230) the ores are closely associated with alunite in such a manner as to suggest a common origin.
The Economic Aspect of Geology | C. K. Leith
alunite is a potassium-aluminum sulphate, which differs from sericite in that sulphur takes the place of silicon.
The Economic Aspect of Geology | C. K. Leith
alunite occurs as veins and replacement deposits, often in igneous associations, and is supposed to be of igneous source.
The Economic Aspect of Geology | C. K. Leith

British Dictionary definitions for alunite

alunite

/ (ˈæljʊˌnaɪt) /

noun

a white, grey, or reddish mineral consisting of hydrated aluminium sulphate. It occurs in volcanic igneous rocks and is a source of potassium and aluminium compounds. Formula: KAl 3 (SO 4) 2 (OH) 6

Origin of alunite

C19: from French alun alum (from Latin alūmen) + -ite 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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