phosphorite

[fos-fuh-rahyt]

noun

a sedimentary rock sufficiently rich in phosphate minerals to be used as a source of phosphorus for fertilizers.

Origin of phosphorite

First recorded in 1790–1800; phosphor- + -ite¹

Related formsphos·pho·rit·ic

[fos-fuh-rit-ik] /ˌfɒs fəˈrɪt ɪk/, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for phosphorite

Historical Examples of phosphorite

Phosphorite is another name for apatite, but is chiefly applied to impure amorphous apatite.
Manures and the principles of manuring
Charles Morton Aikman
We have already referred in Chapter V. to large deposits of apatite or phosphorite found in Canada.
Manures and the principles of manuring
Charles Morton Aikman

British Dictionary definitions for phosphorite

phosphorite

noun

a fibrous variety of the mineral apatite
any of various mineral deposits that consist mainly of calcium phosphate

Derived Formsphosphoritic (ˌfɒsfəˈrɪtɪk), adjective

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