Hypertext Webster Gateway: "pyrites"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
Hence sable coal his massy couch extends, And stars of
gold the sparkling pyrite blends. --E. Darwin.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
Note: 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.
{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}, or {Copper}, {pyrites}, the sulphide of copper and
iron; chalcopyrite.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
pyrites
n : any of various metallic-looking sulfides (of which pyrite is
the commonest)
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