arsenopyrite: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (C2)Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “arsenopyrite” mean?
A hard, silver-white mineral composed of iron, arsenic, and sulfur (FeAsS), with a metallic lustre, also known as mispickel. It is an important ore of arsenic and sometimes yields gold.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A hard, silver-white mineral composed of iron, arsenic, and sulfur (FeAsS), with a metallic lustre, also known as mispickel. It is an important ore of arsenic and sometimes yields gold.
A crystalline sulfide mineral significant in the mining and metallurgy industries, often found in hydrothermal veins and metamorphic rocks. It can oxidize to release highly toxic arsenic compounds.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No lexical or definitional differences. The term is identical in both technical vocabularies.
Connotations
Purely neutral, technical, and scientific. No cultural or regional connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general language. Frequency is identical in both varieties, confined to specialist fields like geology, mining, and chemistry.
Grammar
How to Use “arsenopyrite” in a Sentence
Arsenopyrite is found in [geological location].The sample contains [percentage] arsenopyrite.Arsenic is extracted from arsenopyrite.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arsenopyrite” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The arsenopyritic veins were clearly visible.
- An arsenopyrite-bearing quartz sample was analysed.
American English
- The arsenopyritic mineralization was extensive.
- They studied the arsenopyrite-rich zone.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare, only in context of mining company reports or commodity trading related to arsenic.
Academic
Common in geology, mineralogy, and environmental science papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Might appear in very specific hobbies like mineral collecting.
Technical
The primary register. Used precisely in geological surveys, mining engineering, metallurgy, and environmental hazard assessments.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “arsenopyrite”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arsenopyrite”
- Misspelling as 'arsenopirite' (dropping the 'o').
- Incorrect pronunciation stressing the first syllable (AR-sen-o-py-rite). Correct stress is on the 'py' (py-RITE).
- Confusing it with 'pyrite' (FeS2) or 'arsenic' (the element).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. While stable in solid form, if crushed, heated, or allowed to oxidise (e.g., in mine tailings), it can release highly toxic arsenic compounds into air and water.
Pyrite (FeS2) is iron sulfide, known as 'fool's gold'. Arsenopyrite (FeAsS) contains arsenic instead of some sulfur, is heavier, and has a different crystal structure. Pyrite is much more common.
Yes, arsenopyrite is often a host mineral for 'invisible' or refractory gold, where tiny particles of gold are trapped within its crystal lattice. Specialised processing is needed to extract it.
It typically occurs in medium- to high-temperature hydrothermal veins, contact metamorphic deposits, and some pegmatites. It is a common mineral in many gold and polymetallic ore deposits worldwide.
A hard, silver-white mineral composed of iron, arsenic, and sulfur (FeAsS), with a metallic lustre, also known as mispickel. It is an important ore of arsenic and sometimes yields gold.
Arsenopyrite is usually technical/scientific in register.
Arsenopyrite: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɑː.sə.nəʊˈpaɪ.raɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɑːrˌsen.oʊˈpaɪ.raɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ARSENic + PYRIte (fool's gold) = ARSENOPYRITE, a foolhardy mineral that contains toxic arsenic.'
Conceptual Metaphor
A HIDDEN DANGER / A TOXIC TREASURE (as it can be a source of valuable metals but also releases poison).
Practice
Quiz
Arsenopyrite is primarily an ore for which element?