Pirite
/ˈpaɪraɪt/noun
An obsolete or variant spelling of pyrite, a metallic mineral commonly known as fool’s gold.
Did you know?The name reflects pyrite’s ability to produce sparks when struck against metal, a property that made it symbolically—and practically—associated with fire.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*péh₂wr̥
“Fire”
Ancient Greek
Greek
pŷr
“Fire”
Ancient Greek
Greek
pyrítēs
“Of or belonging to fire; a stone that produces sparks”
Late Latin
Latin
pyrites
“A fire-producing stone or mineral”
16th Century
English
pirite
“An early or variant English form referring to pyrite”
Modern English
English
pyrite
“A brassy, metallic iron sulfide mineral, often called fool’s gold”
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