cassiterite

noun

cas·​sit·​er·​ite kə-ˈsi-tə-ˌrīt How to pronounce cassiterite (audio)
: a brown or black mineral that consists of tin dioxide and is the chief source of metallic tin

called also tinstone

Examples of cassiterite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Rwanda’s current-account deficit widened last year as shipment earnings from minerals such as cassiterite, which make up 14 percent of total exports, dropped 27 percent because of lower global commodities prices. Saul Butera, Bloomberg.com, 10 May 2017 Congo is rich in natural resources, including diamonds, gold, oil, timber, copper, hydropower, cassiterite for tin ore, uranium for nuclear bombs and cobalt for cellphones. Jeffrey Gettleman, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cassiterite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French cassitérite, from Greek kassiteros tin

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cassiterite was in 1858

Dictionary Entries Near cassiterite

Cite this Entry

“Cassiterite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cassiterite. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cassiterite

noun
cas·​sit·​er·​ite kə-ˈsit-ə-ˌrīt How to pronounce cassiterite (audio)
: a brown or black mineral that consists of tin and oxygen and is the chief source of tin

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