Pyrites

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Pyrite \Pyr"ite\, n.; 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.
     [1913 Webster]


  
           Hence sable coal his massy couch extends,
           And stars of gold the sparkling pyrite blends. --E.
                                                    Darwin.
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Pyrites \Py*ri"tes\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? fire. See {Pyre}.]
     (Min.)
     A name given to a number of metallic minerals, sulphides of
     iron, copper, cobalt, nickel, and tin, of a white or
     yellowish color.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The term was originally applied to the mineral pyrite,
           or iron pyrites, in allusion to its giving sparks when
           struck with steel.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     {Arsenical pyrites}, arsenopyrite.
  
     {Auriferous pyrites}. See under {Auriferous}.
  
     {Capillary pyrites}, millerite.
  
     {Common pyrites}, isometric iron disulphide; pyrite.
  
     {Hair pyrites}, millerite.
  
     {Iron pyrites}. See {Pyrite}.
  
     {Magnetic pyrites}, pyrrhotite.
  
     {Tin pyrites}, stannite.
  
     {White iron pyrites}, orthorhombic iron disulphide;
        marcasite. This includes cockscomb pyrites (a variety of
        marcasite, named in allusion to its form), spear pyrites,
        etc.
  
     {Yellow pyrites}, or {Copper pyrites}, the sulphide of copper
        and iron; chalcopyrite.
        [1913 Webster] Pyritic

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  pyrites
       n : any of various metallic-looking sulfides (of which pyrite is
           the commonest)