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mar·ca·site

(märkə-sīt′, -zīt′)

1. A mineral with the same composition as pyrite, FeS₂, but differing in crystal structure. Also called white iron pyrites.

2. An ornament of pyrite, polished steel, or white metal.

[Middle English, from Medieval Latin marcasīta, from Arabic marqašīṯā, from Aramaic marqəšitā, from Akkadian marḫašu, from marḫaši, ancient region in the eastern Iranian plateau.]

mar′ca·siti·cal (-sĭtĭ-kəl) adj.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

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Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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