Trends ofapatite
View usage for:
apatite in British English
(ˈæpəˌtaɪt)
noun
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
Word origin
C19: from German Apatit, from Greek apatē deceit; from its misleading similarity to other mineralsapatite in American English
(ˈæpəˌtaɪt)
noun
any of a group of variously colored, hard, hexagonal calcium minerals, Ca5(PO4, CO3)3 (F,OH,Cl), found mainly in sedimentary rocks, esp. phosphate rock, and in teeth and bones
see also Mohs scale Word origin
Ger apatit < Gr apatē, deceit + -ite1: so named from being mistaken for other mineralsImage ofapatite
© vvoe, Shutterstock