atacamite
|a-ta-ca-mite|
/ˌætəˈkæmaɪt/
green copper chloride mineral (named for Atacama)
Etymology
'atacamite' originates from the place name 'Atacama' (the Atacama Desert in Chile) combined with the mineral suffix '-ite'.
'atacamite' was named after specimens associated with the Atacama region; the locality name 'Atacama' was combined with the conventional mineral ending '-ite' to form the modern mineral name.
Initially the name pointed to a mineral associated with the Atacama locality; over time it came to denote the specific mineral species Cu2Cl(OH)3 regardless of where specimens are found.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a green to bluish-green copper chloride hydroxide mineral with approximate formula Cu2Cl(OH)3, typically found in the oxidized zones of copper deposits; forms prismatic crystals, crusts, or globular aggregates.
The museum displayed a large specimen of atacamite, its bright green crystals glinting under the lights.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/09 07:14