pyrolusite

[ pahy-ruh-loo-sahyt, pahy-rol-yuh-sahyt ]

noun
  1. a common mineral, manganese dioxide, MnO2, the principal ore of manganese, used in various manufactures, as a decolorizer of brown or green tints in glass, and as a depolarizer in dry-cell batteries.

Origin of pyrolusite

1
1820–30; pyro- + Greek loûs(is) washing + -ite1

Words Nearby pyrolusite

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British Dictionary definitions for pyrolusite

pyrolusite

/ (ˌpaɪrəʊˈluːsaɪt) /


noun
  1. a blackish fibrous or soft powdery mineral consisting of manganese dioxide in tetragonal crystalline form. It occurs in association with other manganese ores and is an important source of manganese. Formula: MnO 2

Origin of pyrolusite

1
C19: from pyro- + Greek lousis a washing + -ite 1, from its use in purifying glass

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