Definition of "baryta" []

• Any of several barium compounds, such as barium sulfate. (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.

• "The baryta is a heavy grayish porous substance prepared by carefully igniting the nitrate of barium; and of this each retort having the above dimensions holds about 125 lb."
• "Carbonic acid readily betrays its presence through solutions of the alkaline earths such as baryta and chalk, in which its passage produces an insoluble carbonate, and consequently makes the liquid turbid."
• "By turning the stopcock a fresh quantity of air was allowed to enter the globe: This was permitted to remain in contact with the baryta water for some time, the absorbtion of carbon dioxide being promoted by shaking the ballon."