pyrophyllite

9.9

A soft white or green mineral that looks like talc and is used in ceramics and paint

noun
/ˌpaɪrəˈfɪlaɪt/

Specialized

: pirofílita

The artist used pyrophyllite for its smooth texture.

Examples

Many sculptors prefer pyrophyllite over other materials.
The ceramic industry often uses pyrophyllite as a raw material due to its thermal stability.
Geologists discovered a vein of pyrophyllite running through the ancient rock formation.
When ground into powder, pyrophyllite can serve as a filler in paints and plastics.
The ceramic industry often uses pyrophyllite as a raw material due to its thermal stability.
When ground into powder, pyrophyllite can serve as a filler in paints and plastics.
Geologists discovered a vein of pyrophyllite running through the ancient rock formation.

Surface Forms

pyrophyllite singular

pyrophyllites plural

Morphology

pyrophyllite = pyro + phyll + ite

Although the word contains classical elements meaning roughly 'fire' and 'leaf' plus the mineral suffix '-ite', that combination is not transparent to an average learner and does not directly reveal the mineral's meaning.

Etymology

Pyrophyllite comes from the Greek parts pyro- meaning 'fire' and phyllon meaning 'leaf'. The mineral breaks into thin, leaf-like layers and is often used in hot processes like making ceramics, so the name links its 'leaf' shape and its relation to heat.