chalcopyrite

American  

[kal-kuh-pahy-rahyt] / ˌkæl kəˈpaɪ raɪt /

noun

1. a very common mineral, copper iron sulfide, CuFeS 2 , occurring in brass-yellow crystals or masses: the most important ore of copper; copper pyrites.

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chalcopyrite British  

/ -ˈpaɪə-, ˌkælkəˈpaɪraɪt /

noun

1. Also called: copper pyrites.  a widely distributed yellow mineral consisting of a sulphide of copper and iron in tetragonal crystalline form: the principal ore of copper. Formula: CuFeS 2

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chalcopyrite Scientific  

/ kăl′kə-pī′rīt′ /

1. A brassy yellow, metallic, tetragonal mineral, usually occurring as shapeless masses of grains. Chalcopyrite is found in igneous rocks and copper-rich shales, and it is an important ore of copper. Because of its shiny look and often yellow color, it is sometimes mistaken for gold, and for this reason it is also called fool's gold. Chemical formula: CuFeS ₂ .

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Etymology

Origin of chalcopyrite

First recorded in 1825–35; chalco- + pyrite

Compare meaning

How does chalcopyrite compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• chalcopyrite vs. pyrite

Example Sentences

Chalcopyrite is decomposed by nitric acid with separation of sulphur and formation of a green solution; ammonia added in excess to this solution changes the green colour to deep blue and precipitates red ferric hydroxide.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 3 "Convention" to "Copyright" by Various

Chalcopyrite, from near Leesburg, said to be a promising vein.

From History and Comprehensive Description of Loudoun County, Virginia by Head, James William

Chalcopyrite is of wide distribution and is the commonest of the ores of copper.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 3 "Convention" to "Copyright" by Various

Chalcopyrite crystallizes in the tetragonal system with inclined hemihedrism, but the form is so nearly cubic that it was not recognized as tetragonal until accurate measurements were made in 1822.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 3 "Convention" to "Copyright" by Various