alunite

American  

[al-yuh-nahyt] / ˈæl yəˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a mineral, a hydrous sulfate of potassium and aluminum, KAl 3 (SO4 ) 2 (OH) 6 , commonly occurring in fine-grained masses.

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alunite British  

/ ˈæljʊˌnaɪt /

noun

1. 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

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Etymology

Origin of alunite

1865–70; < French alun (< Latin alūmen alum ¹ ) + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, Kal-unite's engineer-president, Frank Eichelberger, started fiddling with alunite.

From Time Magazine Archive

A report recommending alunite as an aluminum source was prepared by the Bureau of Mines more than six weeks ago.

From Time Magazine Archive

Both sites are near supplies of alunite ore, also not too far from titanic Grand Coulee, which could supply the juice.

From Time Magazine Archive

Instead, they will use alunite, a grey-white mineral.

From Time Magazine Archive

Another mineral source of potash is alunite, which is a sort of natural alum, or double sulfate of potassium and aluminum, with about ten per cent. of potash.

From Creative Chemistry Descriptive of Recent Achievements in the Chemical Industries by Slosson, Edwin E.