pyrites

[pahy-rahy-teez, puh-, pahy-rahyts]

noun

Mineralogy.

plural

pyrites 

1. pyrite.

2. marcasite.

3. any of various other metallic sulfides, as of copper or tin.

pyrites

/ paɪˈraɪtiːz, ˈpaɪraɪts /

noun

1. another name for pyrite

2. any of a number of other disulphides of metals, esp of copper and tin

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyrites¹

1545–55; < Latin pyrītes (plural); pyrite

Example Sentences

The H2S reacted with iron in the basalt to make pyrites, so if exhaust gas were sequestered routinely, scrubbing might not be needed.

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Some of the others brought glistening stones, and among them, apparently pyrites, which very commonly accompanies gold, but of the precious metal itself Raleigh could hardly boast a speck in truth.

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The ore being now carefully examined proved worthless pyrites; and the Arctic gold mines seem to have proved a “fizzle” as great as any of the worst which have succeeded them.

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A variety of shale or clay slate, containing iron pyrites, the decomposition of which leads to the formation of alum, which often effloresces on the rock.

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The rock near here is greenstone, in which are many veins of pyrites.

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