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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

anhydrite

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

The anhydrite found in gypsum deposits is formed both by direct precipitation from salt water and by subsequent alteration of the gypsum.

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

It is frequently associated with minor quantities of anhydrite, which is calcium sulphate without water, and under the proper natural conditions either of these materials may be changed into the other.

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

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

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