apatite

American  

[ap-uh-tahyt] / ˈæp əˌtaɪt /

noun

1. a common mineral, calcium fluorophosphate, Ca 5 FP 3 O 12 , occurring in individual crystals and in masses and varying in color, formerly used in the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers.

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apatite British  

/ ˈæpəˌtaɪt /

noun

1. a pale green to purple mineral, found in igneous rocks and metamorphosed limestones. It is used in the manufacture of phosphorus, phosphates, and fertilizers. Composition: calcium fluorophosphate or calcium chlorophosphate. General formula: Ca 5 (PO 4 ,CO 3 ) 3 (F,OH,Cl). Crystal structure: hexagonal

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apatite Scientific  

/ ăp′ə-tīt′ /

1. Any of several usually green, transparent, hexagonal minerals consisting of calcium phosphate with either fluorine, hydroxyl, chlorine, or carbonate. Apatite occurs in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, and is used as a source of phosphate for making fertilizers. Chemical formula: Ca ₅ (PO ₄ CO ₃ ) ₃ (F,OH,Cl).

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Etymology

Origin of apatite

1795–1805; < Greek apát ( ē ) trickery, fraud, deceit + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Under these conditions, the particles quickly formed apatite, a mineral that closely resembles the inorganic portion of natural bone.

From Science Daily • Jan. 7, 2026

The discovery of apatite in this rock type has allowed for the direct examination of this unknown stage in lunar evolution for the first time.

From Science Daily • Jan. 16, 2024

Indeed, the resistance of the material, made of the mineral apatite with some of the lead atoms replaced by copper, is about 100 times higher than pure copper and other good conducting metals.

From New York Times • Aug. 3, 2023

This is common in uranium-bearing mineral grains such as apatite.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

Bournonite; apatite on muscovite; natural zircon in a spray of colors; dozens more minerals he cannot name.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr