autunites
|au-tu-nites|
/ɔːˈtjuːnaɪt/
(autunite)
uranium phosphate mineral
Etymology
'autunite' originates from French, specifically the place-name 'Autun', where the mineral was first identified.
'autunite' was named in French from the town name 'Autun' and was adopted into English with little change as 'autunite' (plural 'autunites').
Initially it meant 'a mineral from Autun (France)', and it has retained that specific mineral meaning in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of autunite: a yellow to yellow-green uranium phosphate mineral, typically occurring as tabular or plate-like crystals; fluorescent and radioactive (chemical formula commonly given as Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2·nH2O).
Autunites are often found in the oxidized zones of uranium deposits and are valued by mineral collectors for their bright yellow fluorescence.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/29 21:26