alunite

[ al-yuh-nahyt ]

/ ˈæl yəˌnaɪt /

noun

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

Nearby words

alumna, alumni, alumnus, alumroot, alundum, alunite, alunogen, alure, alutaceous, alva, alvar

Origin of alunite

1865–70; < French alun (< Latin alūmen alum¹) + -ite¹

Also called al·um·stone

[al-uh m-stohn] /ˈæl əmˌstoʊn/.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for alunite

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, 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
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
One of the interesting features of this occurrence is the abundance of alunite.
The Economic Aspect of Geology|C. K. Leith

Of other natural mineral sources, alunite is the most important.
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

Word Origin for 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