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apatite
[ ap-uh-tahyt ]
noun
- a common mineral, calcium fluorophosphate, Ca 5 FP 3 O 12 , occurring in individual crystals and in masses and varying in color, formerly used in the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers.
apatite
/ 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: Ca 5 (PO 4 ,CO 3 ) 3 (F,OH,Cl). Crystal structure: hexagonal
apatite
/ ăp′ə-tīt′ /
- 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: Ca 5 (PO 4 CO 3 ) 3 (F,OH,Cl).
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of apatite1
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Example Sentences
Apatite, or mineral phosphate of lime, is found in large deposits in different places.
Apatite, ap′a-tīt, n. a phosphate of lime of great variety of colour.
Biotite, if present, is brown; epidote is yellow or colourless; rutile, apatite and quartz all occur with some frequency.
Phos′phorite, a massive radiated variety of apatite; Phos′phuret, a compound of phosphorus with a metal.
Apatite (phosphate of lime) and pyromorphite (phosphate of lead) contain a considerable amount of it.
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