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Glite Dictionary
chalcopyrite

chalcopyrite

9.9
A yellow mineral that is the main source of copper
  • noun
  • /ˌkæl.kəˈpaɪ.raɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : calcopirita
  • Extraction of copper from chalcopyrite is an important industrial process.

Examples

  • The brilliant yellow color of chalcopyrite often leads it to be mistaken for gold.

  • Miners discovered a rich vein of chalcopyrite deep within the mountain.

  • The geologist discovered a large deposit of chalcopyrite in the mountains.

  • Many miners seek chalcopyrite because it contains valuable copper.

  • Extraction of copper from chalcopyrite is an important industrial process.

  • The brilliant yellow color of chalcopyrite often leads it to be mistaken for gold.

  • Many miners seek chalcopyrite because it contains valuable copper.

Synonyms

copper pyrites
vschalcopyrite
  • Specialized
8.6

A yellow shiny mineral that contains copper and iron and people mine it for copper

is the identical mineral term used as an alternative name

Surface Forms

chalcopyrite singular
chalcopyrites plural

Morphology

chalcopyrite = pyrite (opaque) = chalco + pyrite

The combining form 'chalco-' (meaning 'copper') is an obscure Greek technical morpheme and not recognizable to general learners, so the formation is not transparent to average users.

Etymology

Chalcopyrite comes from Greek parts: chalco- meaning 'copper' and pyrite meaning 'stone that gives sparks', and the same pyrite is known as 'fool's gold'. So, chalcopyrite is a shiny yellow copper ore, which explains why it is the main source of copper and often looks like gold.