marcasite

views updated May 08 2018

marcasite Mineral, FeS2; sp. gr. 4.8–4.9; hardness 6.0–6.5; orthorhombic; pale bronze-yellow; greyish-black streak; metallic lustre; crystals tabular and spear-like, but it is also massive, stalactitic, and radiating; cleavage {101}; occurs in low-temperature mineral veins together with zinc and lead ores, and in sedimentary rocks, especially limestone, chalk, and clay. It has been used in the production of sulphuric acid. Compare PYRITE.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

marcasite

views updated May 23 2018

mar·ca·site / ˈmärkəˌsīt/ • n. a semiprecious stone consisting of pyrite. ∎  a bronze-yellow mineral consisting of iron disulfide but differing from pyrite in typically forming aggregates of tabular crystals. ∎  a piece of polished steel or a similar metal cut as a gem.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

marcasite

views updated May 23 2018

marcasite XV. — medL. marcasīta — Arab. marḳašīṯā — Pers. marḳašīšā; assoc. with -ITE.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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