Definition

Noun: - A white or colorless mineral with the chemical composition BaSO₄ (barium sulfate). It is the principal ore of the element barium.

Usage

• "Heavy spar" is the common mineralogical name for the naturally occurring form of barium sulfate. It is used in industrial contexts, particularly in mining and geology, to refer to the raw mineral before processing.
• It is characterized by its high density, which is the origin of the name "heavy" spar.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• In economic geology, "heavy spar" is a critical term for a non-metallic industrial mineral. Its properties, such as chemical inertness and high density, make it valuable beyond just being a barium source.
• The term is often used in contrast with other "spar" minerals like feldspar or fluorspar, emphasizing its distinctive weight.

Variants and Related Words

• Barite (n): The more common technical and commercial name for the same mineral (barium sulfate). "Heavy spar" and "barite" are synonyms.
  • The shipment of barite was destined for use as a weighting agent in drilling mud.
• Barytes (n): Another synonym, commonly used in British English.
• Barium sulfate (n): The chemical compound name for the mineral's composition.

Synonyms

• Barite
• Barytes
• Barium sulfate (in its natural mineral form)

Notes on Meaning

• The definition is highly specific. "Heavy spar" refers exclusively to the mineral barium sulfate. It is not used in general language and has no idiomatic or figurative meanings.
• The "spar" part of the name comes from an old mining term for any non-metallic, crystalline mineral that cleaves easily.

Noun

1. a white or colorless mineral (BaSO4); the main source of barium