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Glite Dictionary
pyrrhotite

pyrrhotite

9.9
A brownish mineral made of iron and sulfur that is slightly magnetic and found in many rocks
  • noun
  • /ˈpɪrəˌhoʊtaɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pirrotita
  • The mineral pyrrhotite is often found in igneous rocks and can be identified by its brownish color.

Examples

  • Geologists study pyrrhotite for its unique magnetic properties and its role in rock formation.

  • It could be a mineral like pyrite, magnetite, or pyrrhotite—a more complex iron sulfide than pyrite—any of which would be very radar-reflective.

    Academic text (1991)

  • The mineral pyrrhotite is characterized by its weak magnetic qualities and composition of iron sulfide.

Synonyms

pyrrhotine
vspyrrhotite
  • Specialized
9.9

A brown mineral made of iron and sulfur with weak magnetism in rocks

is the preferred standard form used in many references
magnetic pyrites
vspyrrhotite
  • Specialized
9.9

A brown mineral made of iron that is slightly magnetic

is the preferred scientific name rather than the alternative label

How Magnetic

magnetite
  • Specialized
2 8.3
pyrrhotite
  • Specialized
9.9
quartz
16 3.7

Surface Forms

pyrrhotite singular
pyrrhotites plural

Morphology

pyrrhotite = pyrrhot + ite

The element 'pyrrhot-' is a Greek combining form (not a standalone English word) and is not productive for ordinary learners; while '-ite' signals a mineral, the overall meaning cannot be derived by a B1 learner from the parts.

Etymology

Pyrrhotite comes from the Greek root pyrrhos, meaning 'flame-coloured' or 'reddish', and the mineral ending -ite which names rocks and minerals. So pyrrhotite is a brownish, sometimes weakly magnetic mineral, and the name helps you remember its warm, rusty colour and that it is a mineral.