anhydrite

American  

[an-hahy-drahyt] / ænˈhaɪ draɪt /

noun

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

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of anhydrite

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

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

Conversely gypsum may, under certain conditions, be dehydrated or reduced to anhydrite.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 7 "Gyantse" to "Hallel" by Various

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 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 Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)