anhydrite

American  

[an-hahy-drahyt] / ænˈhaɪ draɪt /

noun

1. a mineral, anhydrous calcium sulfate, CaSO 4 , usually occurring in whitish or slightly colored masses.

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anhydrite British  

/ ænˈhaɪdraɪt /

noun

1. a colourless or greyish-white mineral, found in sedimentary rocks. It is used in the manufacture of cement, fertilizers, and chemicals. Composition: anhydrous calcium sulphate. Formula: CaSO 4 . Crystal structure: orthorhombic

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Etymology

Origin of anhydrite

First recorded in 1825–35; anhydr- + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

The impact also vaporized anhydrite rock, which blasted ten trillion tons of sulfur compounds aloft.

From The New Yorker • Mar. 29, 2019

The surveys revealed a multilayer foundation of anhydrite, marl, and limestone, all interspersed with gypsum—which dissolves in contact with water.

From The New Yorker • Dec. 25, 2016

These observations appear to show that the change to anhydrite is a very gradual process at temperatures below a red heat.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 794, March 21, 1891 by Various

The hydration of anhydrite to form gypsum, on the other hand, involves an increase of volume and may result in the doming up and shattering of the overlying sediments.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)

It is rarely found perfectly pure in nature, but is commonly mixed with other saline materials, such as gypsum and anhydrite, and occasionally with salts of potassium and magnesium.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)