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Webster 1913 Edition

Noun.

[L., fr. Gr. [GREEK], fr. [GREEK] fire. See

(Min.)

A name given to a number of metallic minerals, sulphides of iron, copper, cobalt, nickel, and tin, of a white or yellowish color.

☞ The term was originally applied to the mineral pyrite, or iron pyrites, in allusion to its giving sparks when struck with steel.

Arsenical pyrites

arsenopyrite.

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Auriferous pyrites

See under

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Capillary pyrites

millerite.

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Common pyrites

isometric iron disulphide; pyrite.

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Hair pyrites

millerite.

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Iron pyrites

See

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Magnetic pyrites

pyrrhotite.

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Tin pyrites

stannite.

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White iron pyrites

orthorhombic iron disulphide; marcasite. This includes cockscomb pyrites (a variety of marcasite, named in allusion to its form), spear pyrites, etc.

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Yellow pyrites

, or

Copper pyrites

the sulphide of copper and iron; chalcopyrite.