recorded since 1555, from Old French (=modern) pyrite (12c.), from Latin pȳritēs, from Ancient Greek πυρίτης λίθος (purítēs líthos, “stone of fire, flint”) (so called because it glitters), notably the first part: adjective πυρίτης (purítēs, “of or in fire”), from πῦρ (pûr, “fire”).
- Hyphenation: py‧rite
pyrite (plural pyrites)
- (mineralogy) The common mineral iron disulfide (FeS2), of a pale brass-yellow color and brilliant metallic luster, crystallizing in the isometric system.
- (usually as a plural: pyrites) Any metallic-looking sulphide, such as the above, which is the most common.
- (solid state chemistry) (usually as a plural: pyrites) Any metal dichalcogenide that is isostructural to the common mineral.
- Copper diselenide can occur both as a marcasite and a pyrite.
- fool's gold
- iron pyrites
pyrite m (plural pyrites)
- The metallic mineral pyrite