n. A brownish-bronze iron sulfide mineral, FeS, characterized by weak magnetic properties and used as an iron ore and in the manufacture of sulfuric acid. Also called magnetic pyrites. [Alteration (influenced by -ITE1) of German Pyrrhotin, from Greek purrotēs, redness, from purros, fiery, from pūr, fire; see paəw in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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