pyrite

noun

py·​rite ˈpī-ˌrīt How to pronounce pyrite (audio)
: a common mineral that consists of iron disulfide, has a pale brass-yellow color and metallic luster, and is burned in making sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid

Examples of pyrite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But there wasn’t just one moment when a caveman picked up a hunk of pyrite, struck it against a rock, and marveled at the resulting sparks. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024 The top layer is lined with gold flakes and various crystals—including black obsidian, pyrite, citrine, and tiger’s eye—that are all associated with good fortune and protection. L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2023 Some skulls were crafted into masks with eyeballs of shell and pyrite. Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2018 Rapid oxidation of the pyrite, perhaps accelerated initially by microbes, heated the rock enough to ignite dispersed solid carbonaceous matter present in the shale. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 15 Aug. 2011 The tailings contained very little pyrite, a mineral that can generate sulfuric acid when exposed to air and water, wrote C.D. Anglin, who worked as the company’s chief scientific officer in the aftermath of the Mount Polley accident, in an email to Undark. Becki Robins, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Nov. 2022 Discovered by Sir John Franklin in 1826, the hills are named for the sulphureous smoke emitted by the spontaneous ignition of tiny iron pyrite particles. Rachel King, Fortune, 7 Jan. 2023 Scattered among them are small obsidian tools, stone figurines and mirrors made of pyrite. Will Hunt, Discover Magazine, 19 Dec. 2014 The researchers then conducted numerous experiments using replicas of the bifaces in different ways, from grinding manganese and ochre to striking pyrite. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 19 July 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pyrite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin pyrites

First Known Use

1741, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pyrite was in 1741

Dictionary Entries Near pyrite

Cite this Entry

“Pyrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pyrite. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pyrite

noun
py·​rite ˈpī-ˌrīt How to pronounce pyrite (audio)
: a common mineral that consists of iron combined with sulfur, has a pale brass-yellow color and metallic luster, and is used especially in making sulfuric acid

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