autunite

[awt-n-ahyt, oh-tuhn-ahyt]

noun

a yellow mineral, a hydrous calcium uranium phosphate, CaU2P2O12⋅8H2O, occurring in crystals as nearly square tablets: a minor ore of uranium.

Origin of autunite

1850–55; named after Autun, city in E France near source of supply; see -ite¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for autunite

Historical Examples of autunite

Autunite, a hydrous phosphate of uranium and calcium, crystallizing in the rhombic system in yellow plates.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 3
Various

British Dictionary definitions for autunite

autunite

noun

a yellowish fluorescent radioactive mineral consisting of a hydrated calcium uranium phosphate in tetragonal crystalline form. It is found in uranium ores. Formula: Ca(UO 2) 2 (PO 4) 2 .10–12H 2 O

Word Origin for autunite

C19: named after Autun in France, one of the places where it was found, + -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