Advertisement - Continue reading below

Definition of "pyrites" [py•ri•tes]

  • Any of various natural metallic sulfide minerals, especially of iron. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "pyrites" in a sentence
  • "_Copperas: _ (Sulphate of iron or green vitriol,) a bright green mineral substance, formed by the decomposition of a peculiar ore of iron called pyrites, which is a sulphuret of iron."
  • "_Copperas_, (sulphate of iron, or green vitriol,) a bright green mineral substance, formed by the decomposition of a peculiar ore of iron, called pyrites, which is a sulphuret of iron."
  • "This is especially important if fuel or clay contain sulphur compounds such as pyrites which are transformed into sulphuric acid in the kiln gases."