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

The name anhydrite was given by A. G. Werner in 1804, because of the absence of water, as contrasted with the presence of water in gypsum.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Part 1, Slice 1 by Various

Small crystals bounded on all sides by sharply defined faces are found in considerable numbers embedded in gypsum and anhydrite in the salt deposits at L�neburg in Hanover, where it was first observed in 1787.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 2 "Bohemia" to "Borgia, Francis" by Various

Gypsum is also formed in some cases by the hydration of anhydrite, the change being accompanied by an increase of volume to the extent of about 60%.

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