pyrite

[ pahy-rahyt ]

/ ˈpaɪ raɪt /

noun

a very common brass-yellow mineral, iron disulfide, FeS2, with a metallic luster, burned to sulfur dioxide in the manufacture of sulfuric acid: chemically similar to marcasite, but crystallizing in the isometric system.

Nearby words

pyridoxine, pyriform, pyrimethamine, pyrimidine, pyriphlegethon, pyrite, pyrites, pyritic, pyritohedron, pyritous, pyro

Also pyrites.

Origin of pyrite

1560–70; < Latin pyrītēs < Greek pyrī́tēs, noun use of adj.: of fire, so called because it produces sparks when struck. See pyr-, -ite¹

Also called iron pyrites.

Related forms

py·rit·ic

[pahy-rit-ik, puh-] /paɪˈrɪt ɪk, pə-/, py·rit·i·cal, py·ri·tous

[puh-rahy-tuh s, pahy-] /pəˈraɪ təs, paɪ-/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pyrite

The deposition of galena, blende, and pyrite in the Galena lead mines still continues.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 446, July 19, 1884|Various
A few small crystals of pyrite were then placed in the bottle of solution, and the gold began immediately to precipitate on them.
Getting Gold|J. C. F. Johnson
Pyrite, pī′rīt, n. native iron disulphide of a pale-yellow colour and very hard—also Iron pyrites.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various
Pyrite, the yellow iron sulphide, is the commonest and most abundant of the metallic sulphides.
The Economic Aspect of Geology|C. K. Leith

Similar occurrences of pyrite on a smaller scale are known in many places.
The Economic Aspect of Geology|C. K. Leith

British Dictionary definitions for pyrite

pyrite

/ (ˈpaɪraɪt) /

noun

a yellow mineral, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks and in veins. It is a source of sulphur and is used in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. Composition: iron sulphide. Formula: FeS 2 . Crystal structure: cubicAlso called: iron pyrites, pyrites Nontechnical name: fool's gold

Derived Forms

pyritic (paɪˈrɪtɪk) or pyritous, adjective

Word Origin for pyrite

C16: from Latin pyrites flint, from Greek puritēs (lithos) fire (stone), that is, capable of withstanding or striking fire, from pur fire

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

Science definitions for pyrite

pyrite

[ pī′rīt′ ]

A silver to yellow, metallic, cubic mineral. Pyrite often crystallizes in cubes or octahedrons but also occurs as shapeless masses of grains. It occurs in most types of rocks, and is used as a source of iron and in making sulfur dioxide. It is a polymorph of marcasite. Because of its shiny look and often yellow color, it is sometimes mistaken for gold and for this reason is also called fool's gold. Chemical formula: FeS2.