argentite

American  

[ahr-juhn-tahyt] / ˈɑr dʒənˌtaɪt /

noun

1. a dark lead-gray sectile mineral, silver sulfide, Ag 2 S, occurring in crystals and as formless aggregates: an important ore of silver.

---

argentite British  

/ ˈɑːdʒənˌtaɪt /

noun

1. a dark grey mineral that consists of silver sulphide, usually in cubic crystalline forms, and occurs in veins, often with native silver. It is found esp in Mexico, Nevada, and Saxony and is an important source of silver. Formula: Ag 2 S

---

Etymology

Origin of argentite

First recorded in 1830–40; argent- + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

argentite

Farther down it may be reprecipitated as native silver, argentite, and the sulpho-salts, by organic matter or by various sulphides.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)

In the weathering of mercury deposits, cinnabar behaves somewhat like the corresponding silver sulphide, argentite.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)

The most important mineral of silver is the sulphide, argentite or "silver glance."

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)

It is found native, and also combined with sulphur, arsenic, antimony, chlorine, etc., in the minerals argentite, proustite, pyrargyrite, ceragyrite, etc.

From The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary Section S by Project Gutenberg

Acanthite is a supposed dimorphous form, crystallizing in the orthorhombic system, but it is probable that the crystals are really distorted crystals of argentite.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 5 "Arculf" to "Armour, Philip" by Various