ap·a·tite ( p  -t t )n. A natural, variously colored calcium fluoride phosphate, Ca5F(PO4)3, with chlorine, hydroxyl, or carbonate sometimes replacing the fluoride. It is a source of phosphorus for plants and is used in the manufacture of fertilizers. [From Greek apat  , deceit (from its often being mistaken for other minerals).] |
apatite [ˈæpəˌtaɪt]
n
(Earth Sciences / Minerals) a pale green to purple mineral, found in igneous rocks and metamorphosed limestones. It is used in the manufacture of phosphorus, phosphates, and fertilizers. Composition: calcium fluorophosphate or calcium chlorophosphate. General formula: Ca5(PO4,CO3)3(F,OH,Cl). Crystal structure: hexagonal
[from German Apatit, from Greek apatē deceit; from its misleading similarity to other minerals]
| apatite (p-tt) Any of several, usually green, transparent, hexagonal minerals consisting of calcium phosphate with either fluorine, hydroxyl, chlorine or carbonate. Apatite occurs in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, and is used as a source of phosphate for making fertilizers. Chemical formula: Ca5(PO4CO3)3(F,OH,Cl). |
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| Noun | 1. | apatite - a common complex mineral consisting of calcium fluoride phosphate or calcium chloride phosphate; a source of phosphorus atomic number 15, P, phosphorus - a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms atomic number 65, Tb, terbium - a metallic element of the rare earth group; used in lasers; occurs in apatite and monazite and xenotime and ytterbite atomic number 69, thulium, Tm - a soft silvery metallic element of the rare earth group; isotope 170 emits X-rays and is used in small portable X-ray machines; it occurs in monazite and apatite and xenotime mineral - solid homogeneous inorganic substances occurring in nature having a definite chemical composition fluorapatite - a form of apatite in which fluorine predominates over chlorine |
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