Pyrites \Py*ri"tes\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? fire. See Pyre.]
(Min.)
A name given to a number of metallic minerals, sulphides of
iron, copper, cobalt, nickel, and tin, of a white or
yellowish color.
Note: The term was originally applied to the mineral pyrite,
or iron pyrites, in allusion to its giving sparks when
struck with steel.
Arsenical pyrites, arsenopyrite.
Auriferous pyrites. See under Auriferous.
Capillary pyrites, millerite.
Common pyrites, isometric iron disulphide; pyrite.
Hair pyrites, millerite.
Iron pyrites. See Pyrite.
Magnetic pyrites, pyrrhotite.
Tin pyrites, stannite.
White iron pyrites, orthorhombic iron disulphide;
marcasite. This includes cockscomb pyrites (a variety of
marcasite, named in allusion to its form), spear pyrites,
etc.
Yellow, or Copper, pyrites, the sulphide of copper and
iron; chalcopyrite.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Copper \Cop"per\, n. [OE. coper (cf. D. koper, Sw. koppar, Dan.
kobber, G. kupfer), LL. cuper, fr. L. cuprum for earlier
Cyprium, Cyprium aes, i.e., Cyprian brass, fr. Gr. ? of
Cyprus (Gr. ?), anciently renowned for its copper mines. Cf.
Cypreous.]
1. A common metal of a reddish color, both ductile and
malleable, and very tenacious. It is one of the best
conductors of heat and electricity. Symbol Cu. Atomic
weight 63.3. It is one of the most useful metals in
itself, and also in its alloys, brass and bronze.
Note: Copper is the only metal which occurs native abundantly
in large masses; it is found also in various ores, of
which the most important are chalcopyrite, chalcocite,
cuprite, and malachite. Copper mixed with tin forms
bell metal; with a smaller proportion, bronze; and with
zinc, it forms brass, pinchbeck, and other alloys.
2. A coin made of copper; a penny, cent, or other minor coin
of copper. [Colloq.]
My friends filled my pockets with coppers.
--Franklin.
3. A vessel, especially a large boiler, made of copper.
4. pl. Specifically (Naut.), the boilers in the galley for
cooking; as, a ship's coppers.
Note: Copper is often used adjectively, commonly in the sense
of made or consisting of copper, or resembling copper;
as, a copper boiler, tube, etc.
All in a hot and copper sky. --Coleridge.
Note: It is sometimes written in combination; as,
copperplate, coppersmith, copper-colored.
Copper finch. (Zo["o]l.) See Chaffinch.
Copper glance, or Vitreous copper. (Min.) See
Chalcocite.
Indigo copper. (Min.) See Covelline.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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