barite

bar·ite  (bârt, br-) also ba·ry·tes (b-rtz)

n.

A yellow, white, or colorless crystalline mineral of barium sulfate, BaSO₄, that is used in paint and as the chief source of barium chemicals. Also called heavy spar.

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[Greek barus, heavy; see g^wer-¹ in Indo-European roots + -ite.]

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barite [ˈbɛəraɪt]

n

(Earth Sciences / Minerals) the usual US and Canadian name for barytes

[from bar(ium) + -ite¹]

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barite  (bârt)

A usually white, clear, or yellow orthorhombic mineral. Barite occurs as flattened blades or in a circular pattern of crystals that looks like a flower and, when colored red by iron stains, is called a desert rose. It is found in limestone, in clay-rich rocks, and in sandstones. Barite is used as a source of barium. Chemical formula: BaSO₄.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

barite - a white or colorless mineral (BaSO4); the main source of barium barytes, heavy spar, barium sulphate atomic number 56, Ba, barium - a soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group; found in barite mineral - solid homogeneous inorganic substances occurring in nature having a definite chemical composition