fluorite
[ floo r-ahyt, flawr-, flohr- ]
/ ˈflʊər aɪt, ˈflɔr-, ˈfloʊr- /
|
noun
a common mineral, calcium fluoride, CaF2, occurring in green, blue, purple, yellow, or colorless crystals, usually in cubes: the principal source of fluorine, used also as a flux in metallurgy and for ornament.
Nearby words
fluoridize, fluorimeter, fluorinate, fluorine, fluorine dating, fluorite, fluoro-, fluorocarbon, fluorochemical, fluorochrome, fluorography
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Examples from the Web for fluorite
British Dictionary definitions for fluorite
fluorite
/ (ˈflʊəraɪt) /
noun
US and Canadian a white or colourless mineral sometimes fluorescent and often tinted by impurities, found in veins and as deposits from hot gases. It is used in the manufacture of glass, enamel, and jewellery, and is the chief ore of fluorine. Composition: calcium fluoride. Formula: CaF 2 . Crystal structure: cubicAlso called (in Britain and certain other countries): fluorspar, fluor
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Science definitions for fluorite
fluorite
[ flur′īt′ ]
A transparent to translucent mineral occurring in many colors, especially yellow and purple, and usually in cube-shaped crystals with octahedral cleavage. It is found in sedimentary rocks and in ore deposits within igneous rocks. It is often fluorescent in ultraviolet light. Chemical formula: CaF2.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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