anhydrite

[ an-hahy-drahyt ]

/ ænˈhaɪ draɪt /

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noun

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

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Origin of anhydrite

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

Words nearby anhydrite

Anhui, anhyd., anhydr-, anhydremia, anhydride, anhydrite, anhydro-, anhydrous, ani, Aniakchak, Aniakchak Crater

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use anhydrite in a sentence

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
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
This presence of salt-laden anhydrite and the occasional sulphur springs with high temperatures are extremely interesting.
The Spell of Switzerland|Nathan Haskell Dole

Anhydrite, anhydrous sulphate of calcium, a mineral presenting several varieties of structure and colour.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2|Various

British Dictionary definitions for anhydrite

anhydrite

/ (ænˈhaɪdraɪt) /

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