Definition

1. Noun:
   • A mineral consisting of lead carbonate: "White lead ore" is the common name for the mineral cerussite, a compound of lead, carbon, and oxygen (PbCO₃). It is an important source of lead metal.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Miners extracted white lead ore from the veins in the mountain.
  • The geologist identified the specimen as white lead ore, noting its high lead content.

Advanced Usage

• In historical and industrial contexts: The term is often used when discussing historical mining, mineralogy, or the primary sources of lead before modern smelting techniques.
  • The region's economy was once dependent on the mining of white lead ore.

Variants and Related Words

• Cerussite (n): The formal mineralogical name for white lead ore.
  • Cerussite crystals can be quite beautiful and collectible.
• Lead carbonate (n): The chemical name for the compound that forms the mineral.
• Galena (n): Another important lead ore (lead sulfide), often contrasted with white lead ore as a different primary source.

Synonyms

• Cerussite: The scientific synonym.
• Lead spar: An older, less common synonym.

Notes

• This is a technical term specific to geology and mining. In general conversation, one would typically refer to "lead ore" or specify "cerussite" in scientific contexts. The "white" in the name refers to its typical color, though specimens can be gray or tinted.

Noun

1. a mineral consisting of lead carbonate that is an important source of lead