aragonite
noun
ara·go·nite
ə-ˈra-gə-ˌnīt 
ˈa-rə-gə-
ˈa-rə-gə-
ˈer-ə-
: a mineral similar to calcite in consisting of calcium carbonate but differing from calcite in its orthorhombic crystallization, greater density, and less distinct cleavage
Examples of aragonite in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite also being made from the same brittle aragonite, the hinge both bends and stretches without breaking.
—
Rahul Rao, Popular Science, 22 June 2023
Price upon request; at jaeger-lecoultre.com Hermès Arceau Petite Lune Planets and stars are crafted of aragonite, opal, freshwater mother of pearl, aventurine and diamonds to form the dial on the latest Hermès Arceau Petite Lune, which features a moon-phase function at the 10:30 position.
—Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2023
Except in the increasingly hot Eastern Mediterranean, the aragonite is forming abiotically.
—WIRED, 4 Oct. 2022
Layers of the aragonite and conchiolin are called nacre, and after each layer forms, mollusks will adjust each sheet to maintain its symmetry.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Nov. 2021
Calcium carbonate, for example, which consists of one part calcium, one part carbon, and three parts oxygen, can assemble into several different minerals, including calcite and aragonite.
—Sophia Chen, WIRED, 1 July 2019
Through a process not yet fully understood, little balls of the material then give way to aragonite, the form of calcium carbonate that makes up a mature coral skeleton.
—Steph Yin, New York Times, 1 June 2017
Some marine plankton and invertebrates build shells from aragonite — a form of calcium carbonate which dissolves more easily than calcite — and these organisms will be the first to feel the effect of increasing ocean acidity.
—Ars Technica, WIRED, 31 May 2011
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Rahul Rao, Popular Science, 22 June 2023
Price upon request; at jaeger-lecoultre.com Hermès Arceau Petite Lune Planets and stars are crafted of aragonite, opal, freshwater mother of pearl, aventurine and diamonds to form the dial on the latest Hermès Arceau Petite Lune, which features a moon-phase function at the 10:30 position.
—Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2023
Except in the increasingly hot Eastern Mediterranean, the aragonite is forming abiotically.
—WIRED, 4 Oct. 2022
Layers of the aragonite and conchiolin are called nacre, and after each layer forms, mollusks will adjust each sheet to maintain its symmetry.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Nov. 2021
Calcium carbonate, for example, which consists of one part calcium, one part carbon, and three parts oxygen, can assemble into several different minerals, including calcite and aragonite.
—Sophia Chen, WIRED, 1 July 2019
Through a process not yet fully understood, little balls of the material then give way to aragonite, the form of calcium carbonate that makes up a mature coral skeleton.
—Steph Yin, New York Times, 1 June 2017
Some marine plankton and invertebrates build shells from aragonite — a form of calcium carbonate which dissolves more easily than calcite — and these organisms will be the first to feel the effect of increasing ocean acidity.
—Ars Technica, WIRED, 31 May 2011
Dictionary Entries Near aragonite
Cite this Entry
“Aragonite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aragonite. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aragonite
noun
ara·go·nite
ə-ˈrag-ə-ˌnīt
ˈar-ə-gə-
ˈar-ə-gə-
: a mineral that is chemically the same as calcite but heavier per unit volume and with different crystalline form
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