noun
pyrite
PY-rite
Pyrite (noun) means a common mineral, iron disulfide, with a pale brass-yellow colour and a bright metallic shine. Example: “The rock was flecked with shiny crystals of pyrite.”
noun
1
mineralogy A common mineral, iron disulfide, with a pale brass-yellow colour and a bright metallic shine.
"The rock was flecked with shiny crystals of pyrite."
"Beginners often mistake pyrite for gold."
"The museum has a fine cube-shaped specimen of pyrite."
How to use pyrite
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA shiny, gold-coloured mineral often called fool's gold.
When to use it
It is the standard technical term in geology and mineralogy, while fool's gold is the everyday name.
Memory tip
The plural pyrites is often used for the group of metallic-looking sulphides.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
iron pyrite
crystals of pyrite
pyrite deposit
fool's gold
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The rock was flecked with shiny crystals of _____.
Etymology
The word came into English from Old French pyrite, from Latin, and ultimately from a Greek phrase meaning stone of fire. It was so called because the mineral glitters.
Synonyms
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fool's gold
iron pyrites
Rhymes for pyrite
See all rhymes for pyrite →Frequently asked questions
What is pyrite?
Pyrite is a common mineral made of iron disulfide, FeS2. It is pale brass-yellow with a brilliant metallic lustre.
Is pyrite the same as fool's gold?
Yes. Fool's gold is another name for pyrite.
Where does the word pyrite come from?
It comes from Old French and Latin, from a Greek phrase meaning stone of fire. The Greek is linked to the word for fire.
What is the meaning of pyrite?
"pyrite" (noun) means a common mineral, iron disulfide, with a pale brass-yellow colour and a bright metallic shine.
