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Glite Dictionary
anhydrite

anhydrite

9.6
A white or gray mineral of calcium sulfate that contains no water and helps make plaster and cement
  • noun
  • /ˈænhaɪˌdraɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : anhidrita
  • Anhydrite is commonly used as a drying agent in many industrial applications.

Examples

  • The mineral anhydrite is often found in sedimentary rocks.

  • Manufacturers often use anhydrite in the production of certain types of cement.

  • The geologist identified the white crystals as anhydrite during the field survey.

  • Because it contains no water, anhydrite is valuable as a drying agent in industry.

  • Many construction materials contain anhydrite for better durability.

  • The construction workers mixed anhydrite with water to create a strong plaster for the walls.

  • In geology classes, we learned how anhydrite forms under evaporitic conditions.

Synonyms

calcium sulfate
vsanhydrite
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A white mineral used to make plaster, improve soil, and to make some foods and medicines

is the specific mineral form used industrially for plasters cements and drying agents

Surface Forms

anhydrite singular
anhydrites plural

Morphology

anhydrite = anhydrous (semi-transparent) = an + hydr + ite

Forming a mineral name from an adjective meaning 'without water' is clear in principle, but the Greek combining form 'hydr' and the negative prefix 'an-' are not transparent to many B1 learners.

Etymology

Anhydrite comes from the parts an- 'not' and hydr- 'water', like in hydrate, and the ending -ite often marks a mineral. So anhydrite literally means 'without water', which explains why it is a dry mineral used in plasters, cements, and as a drying agent.