witherite

[with -uh-rahyt]

noun

a white to grayish mineral, barium carbonate, BaCO3, occurring in crystals and masses: a minor ore of barium.

Origin of witherite

1785–95; named after W. Withering (1741–99), who first described it; see -ite¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for witherite

Historical Examples of witherite

Witherite, the barium carbonate, is a much rarer mineral but is found with barite in some veins.
The Economic Aspect of Geology
C. K. Leith

British Dictionary definitions for witherite

witherite

noun

a white, grey, or yellowish mineral consisting of barium carbonate in orthorhombic crystalline form: occurs in veins of lead ore. Formula: BaCO 3

Word Origin for witherite

C18: named after W. Withering (1741–99), English scientist, who first described it

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