Definition

Noun: A soft, black to dark gray mineral consisting primarily of manganese dioxide (MnO₂). It is the most common and important ore of manganese.

Usage

Pyrolusite is used as an industrial mineral. * The mine primarily extracts pyrolusite for manganese production. * Geologists identified the black, metallic streaks in the rock as pyrolusite.

Advanced Usage

• In historical contexts, pyrolusite was used in glassmaking to remove greenish tints caused by iron impurities.
• The mineral's name is derived from Greek words for "fire" and "to wash," referencing its early use in decolorizing glass.

Variants and Related Words

• Manganese Dioxide (MnO₂): The chemical compound that constitutes pyrolusite.
• Psilomelane: A related, hard manganese oxide mineral often found with pyrolusite.

Synonyms

• Manganese ore (in a general, non-specific sense)

Different Meanings

This word has a single, specific meaning in mineralogy and economic geology. It does not have other common definitions.

Noun

1. a mineral consisting of manganese dioxide; an important source of manganese