Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Pyrite

Pyr′ite

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Pyrites
(#)
.
[Cf. F.
pyrite
. See
Pyrites
.]
(Min.)
A common mineral of a pale brass-yellow color and brilliant metallic luster, crystallizing in the isometric system; iron pyrites; iron disulphide.
Hence sable coal his massy couch extends,
And stars of gold the sparkling
pyrite
blends.
E. Darwin.

Webster 1828 Edition

Pyrite

PYRITE

,
Noun.
plu.
pyrites. [Gr., fire.] Fire-stone; a genus of inflammable substances composed of sulphur and iron or other metal; a sulphuret of iron or other metal.
Hence sable coal his massy couch extends, and stars of gold the sparkling pyrite blends.
[I have anglicized this word, according to Darwin and the French mineralogists; making pyrites a regular plural.]

Definition 2024

Pyrite

Pyrite

See also: pyrite

German

Noun

Pyrite n

  1. plural of Pyrit

pyrite

pyrite

See also: Pyrite

English

Pyrite

Noun

pyrite ‎(plural pyrites)

  1. (mineralogy) The common mineral iron disulfide (FeS2), of a pale brass-yellow color and brilliant metallic luster, crystallizing in the isometric system.
  2. (usually as a plural: pyrites) Any metallic-looking sulphide, such as the above, which is the most common.
  3. (solid state chemistry) (usually as a plural: pyrites) Any metal dichalcogenide that is isostructural to the common mineral.
    Copper diselenide can occur both as a marcasite and a pyrite.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

See also

French

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /pi.ʁit/
  • Hyphenation: py‧rite

Noun

pyrite m ‎(plural pyrites)

  1. The metallic mineral pyrite

Related terms

  • pyrique

Etymology

Recorded since 1555, from Old French pyrite (12th century), from Latin pȳritēs, from Ancient Greek πυρίτης λίθος ‎(purítēs líthos, “stone of fire, flint”) (so called because it glitters), notably the first part: adjective πυρίτης ‎(purítēs, “of or in fire”), from πῦρ ‎(pûr, “fire”).

Pronunciation

  • Hyphenation: py‧rite

Similar Results