Definition

Noun: 1. A mineral: A soft, lead-gray mineral with a metallic luster, composed primarily of molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂). It is the principal ore from which the element molybdenum and its various compounds are extracted.

Examples of Usage

Advanced Usage

• In an industrial context: The term is used specifically to denote the raw, mined material before processing.
  • The concentrated molybdenite is then roasted to produce molybdenum trioxide.

Variants and Related Words

• Molybdenum (n): The metallic chemical element (symbol Mo) derived from molybdenite.
• Moly (n): An informal or industry shorthand for molybdenum or molybdenite.

Synonyms

• Molybdenum disulfide (the chemical compound name).
• Principal molybdenum ore (a descriptive synonym).

Noun

1. a mineral resembling graphite that is valued as the chief source of molybdenum and its compounds