anhydrite

[an-hahy-drahyt]

noun

a mineral, anhydrous calcium sulfate, CaSO4, usually occurring in whitish or slightly colored masses.

Origin of anhydrite

First recorded in 1825–35; anhydr- + -ite¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for anhydrite

Historical Examples of anhydrite

Anhydrite, anhydrous sulphate of calcium, a mineral presenting several varieties of structure and colour.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2
Various
These observations appear to show that the change to anhydrite is a very gradual process at temperatures below a red heat.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 794, March 21, 1891
Various
Anhydrite (CaSO4) also occurs in rock masses, and is often associated with rock salt.
A Textbook of Assaying: For the Use of Those Connected with Mines.
Cornelius Beringer and John Jacob Beringer
Conversely gypsum may, under certain conditions, be dehydrated or reduced to anhydrite.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 7
Various

British Dictionary definitions for anhydrite

anhydrite

noun

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

Word Origin for anhydrite

C19: from anhydr (ous) + -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