hematite

[ hee-muh-tahyt, hem-uh- ]

noun

1. a very common mineral, iron oxide, Fe 2 O 3 , occurring in steel-gray to black crystals and in red earthy masses: the principal ore of iron.

hematite

/ ˌhɛməˈtɪtɪk; ˌhiː-; ˈhɛmətaɪt; ˈhɛmətaɪt; ˈhiːm- /

noun

1. a red, grey, or black mineral, found as massive beds and in veins and igneous rocks. It is the chief source of iron. Composition: iron (ferric) oxide. Formula: Fe 2 O 3 . Crystal structure: hexagonal (rhombohedral) Also callediron glance

hematite

/ hē′mə-tīt′ /

1. A reddish-brown to silver-gray metallic mineral. Hematite occurs as rhombohedral crystals, as reniform (kidney-shaped) crystals, or as fibrous aggregates in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. It is the most abundant ore of iron, and it is usually slightly magnetic. Chemical formula: Fe 2 O 3 .

Derived Forms

• hematitic, adjective

Other Words From

• he·ma·tit·ic [hee-m, uh, -, tit, -ik, hem-, uh, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hematite¹

1535–45; < Latin haematītes bloodstone < Greek haimatī́tēs ( lithós ) bloodlike (stone). See hemat-, -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of hematite¹

C16: via Latin from Greek haimatitēs resembling blood, from haima blood

Example Sentences

An iron oxide called hematite improves tone, and acetylglucosamine, an enzyme derived from sugar, exfoliates for extra glow.

From The Daily Beast

Ferruginous masses, probably consisting of brown hematite, come also from this island.

From Project Gutenberg

The ore used was from Bilbao, and known as the Ruby Mine, and was a good average hematite.

From Project Gutenberg

Papa says the Craven mines are remarkable, the new one with all that hematite is a fortune by itself.

From Project Gutenberg

The streak of limonite is yellow, thus distinguishing it from hematite.

From Project Gutenberg

He takes the softest hematite, grinds it upon a porphyry slab; and then carefully elutriates it.

From Project Gutenberg