Definition

A type of mineral that is a form of pyrrhotite, commonly found in meteorites and lunar soil, and does not contain much ferrous iron.

Example

Troilite is often studied by scientists to understand the composition of meteorites.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of troilite?

No, I haven't. What is it?

It's a mineral found in meteorites, actually.

That sounds fascinating! I love learning about space rocks.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Troilite originates from the name of the mineralogist and chemist, William Troil, who studied the mineral in the 18th century. The suffix '-ite' is derived from the Greek 'lithos' (meaning stone), commonly used in mineralogy to denote minerals or rocks. Therefore, troilite refers to a mineral named after Troil, indicating it is a type of stone or mineral.

Memory Tip

Think of William Troil, the scientist who studied this mineral, and remember that 'troilite' is a type of stone named after him.

Visually Confused Words