Definition

1. Noun:
   • A soft mineral (calcium fluoride) that is fluorescent in ultraviolet light; chief source of fluorine: "Fluor" refers to a naturally occurring mineral, also commonly known as fluorite. It is valued as a primary industrial source of the element fluorine.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The geologist identified the purple crystal as fluor. (The geologist identified the purple crystal as fluor.)
  • Fluor is often mined for use in the chemical industry. (Fluor is often mined for use in the chemical industry.)

Advanced Usage

• Technical/Geological Context: The term "fluor" is primarily used in scientific, mineralogical, and industrial contexts. In common usage, the term "fluorite" is more frequent.
  • The specimen exhibited the classic cubic cleavage of fluor. (The specimen exhibited the classic cubic cleavage of fluor.)

Variants and Related Words

• Fluorite (n): The more common name for the mineral calcium fluoride (CaF₂).
  • Fluorite crystals can be beautifully colored.
• Fluor- (prefix): A combining form used in scientific terms related to fluorine, such as "fluorocarbon" or "fluoridation". (Note: This is a prefix, not the target word itself).
• Fluorescent (adj): Exhibiting fluorescence, a property for which fluor/fluorite is named.
  • The fluor displayed a strong fluorescent glow under UV light.

Synonyms

• Fluorite: The direct synonym for the mineral.
• Calcium fluoride: The chemical name for the compound.

Related Phrases/Idioms

(This word is a technical/scientific noun and does not have common phrasal verbs or idioms associated with it.)

Noun

1. a soft mineral (calcium fluoride) that is fluorescent in ultraviolet light; chief source of fluorine