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Glite Dictionary
pyrrhotine

pyrrhotine

9.9
A brown mineral made of iron and sulfur with weak magnetism in rocks
  • noun
  • /ˈpɪrəˌtiːn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pirrotina
  • The geologist discovered a vein of pyrrhotine embedded within the rock sample.

Examples

  • The presence of pyrrhotine can indicate specific geological processes in metamorphic rocks.

  • Due to its weak magnetic properties, pyrrhotine can be mistaken for other iron minerals.

  • The geologist discovered a sample of pyrrhotine in the rock formation.

  • Many pyrrhotines can be found in metamorphic rocks.

  • The geologist discovered a vein of pyrrhotine embedded within the rock sample.

  • The presence of pyrrhotine can indicate specific geological processes in metamorphic rocks.

  • Due to its weak magnetic properties, pyrrhotine can be mistaken for other iron minerals.

Synonyms

pyrrhotite
vspyrrhotine
  • Specialized
9.9

A brownish mineral made of iron and sulfur that is slightly magnetic and found in many rocks

is an alternative name or spelling for the same mineral
magnetic pyrites
vspyrrhotine
  • Specialized
9.9

A brown mineral made of iron that is slightly magnetic

is the single-word scientific name rather than a descriptive phrase

Surface Forms

pyrrhotine singular
pyrrhotines plural

Morphology

pyrrhotine = pyrrhotite (opaque) = pyrrhot + ine

Formation from the mineral name 'pyrrhotite' to a variant form with the suffix '-ine' is a straightforward lexical modification.

Etymology

Pyrrhotine comes from the Greek root pyrrhos, meaning 'flame-coloured' and related to the word for 'fire' as in English pyre. It was named for its brownish color, so thinking of 'pyrrh' as 'flame' helps you remember this brown iron mineral.