pyromorphite

[ pahy-ruh-mawr-fahyt ]

noun

1. a mineral, lead chlorophosphate, Pb 5 P 3 O 1 2 Cl, occurring in crystalline and massive forms, and of a green, yellow, or brown color; green lead ore: a minor ore of lead.

pyromorphite

/ ˌpaɪrəʊˈmɔːfaɪt /

noun

1. a green, yellow, brown, or grey secondary mineral that consists of lead chloro-phosphate in the form of hexagonal crystals. Formula: Pb 5 Cl(PO 4 ) 3

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyromorphite¹

From the German word Pyromorphit, dating back to 1805–15. See pyro-, morph-, -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyromorphite¹

C19: from German Pyromorphit, from pyro- + Greek morphē form + -ite ¹, an allusion to the fact that it assumes a crystalline form when heated

Example Sentences

Galena becomes anglesite, cerussite, pyromorphite and mimetite.

From Project Gutenberg

Apatite (phosphate of lime) and pyromorphite (phosphate of lead) contain a considerable amount of it.

From Project Gutenberg