Min. [ad. mod.L. chalcopyrites (in Henckel 1725), f. CHALCO- + PYRITE: probably the χαλκῖτις of Aristotle, and included under the πυρῖτις of Dioscorides, chalcitis and pyrites (in part) of Pliny, pyrites ærosus, aureo colore, flavus, of early mineralogists.]
An important ore of copper, called yellow or copper pyrites, native sulphide of copper and iron.
1835. Shepard, Min., 123. Chalkopyrite.
1862. Dana, Man. Geol., 64. Chalcopyrite (or Copper Pyrites).—Resembles iron pyrites, but is of a deeper yellow color, much softer, being scratched with a knife.
1869. Phillips, Vesuvius, x. 278. Chalcopyrite … found in ejected blocks.
