fluorapatite

[ floor-ap-uh-tahyt, flawr-, flohr- ]

noun

1. a crystalline mineral, Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 F, formed from hydroxyapatite in the presence of fluoride, that has a hardening effect on bones and teeth.

fluorapatite

/ ˌflʊəˈræpətaɪt /

noun

1. a mineral consisting of calcium fluorophosphate; the most common form of apatite

Word History and Origins

Origin of fluorapatite¹

First recorded in 1880–85; from German Fluorapatit; fluor-, apatite