baryta

English

Etymology

From New Latin baryta, from 18c. Latinization of French barote, 1782 coinage from Ancient Greek βαρύτης (barútēs, “heaviness”), from βαρύς (barús) +‎ -της (-tēs).

Pronunciation

• (US) enPR: bə-rī'-tə, IPA^(key): /bəˈɹaɪ.tə/

Noun

baryta (countable and uncountable, plural barytas)

1. Any of several compounds of barium, especially barium sulphate and barium hydroxide.
   • 1846, editorial staff, “CHEMISTRY”, in Scientific American, series 1, Volume 2, Issue 13, page 102:

     Four of the earths, namely, lime, baryta, strontia, and magnesia, possess alkaline properties to a considerable extent, and are hence called alkaline earths.

Derived terms

• barium
• barytic