pyrites
[pahy-rahy-teez, puh-, pahy-rahyts]
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Origin of pyrites
pyrite
[pahy-rahyt]
- 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.
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Also pyrites.
Origin of pyrite
Also called iron pyrites.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for pyrites
Historical Examples of pyrites
A mixture of common salt assists the decomposition of the pyrites.
Hittel on Gold Mines and MiningJohn S. Hittell
The one is galena, a sulphuret of lead; the other, pyrites, a sulphuret of iron.
Pyrites, when thrown upon a spirit, are believed to drive it away.
The Pyrites are not the only minerals from which Vitriol may be procured.
Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed.Pierre Joseph Macquer
This is more particularly the case with the Spanish and Portuguese pyrites.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume IIArnold Cooley
pyrites
- another name for pyrite
- any of a number of other disulphides of metals, esp of copper and tin
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pyrite
- 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
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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
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Word Origin and History for pyrites
pyrite
"metallic iron disulfide, fool's gold," 1550s, from Old French pyrite (12c.), from Latin pyrites, from Greek pyrites lithos "stone of fire, flint" (so called because it glitters), from pyrites "of or in fire," from pyr (genitive pyros) "fire" (see fire (n.)). Related: Pyritic.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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