Pyroüric
(Pyr`o*ü"ric) a. [Pyro- + uric.] (Old Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid now called
cyanuric acid. See Cyanuric.
Pyrovanadic
(Pyr`o*va*nad"ic) a. [Pyro- + vanadic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of
vanadium, analogous to pyrophosphoric acid.
Pyroxanthin
(Pyr`o*xan"thin) n. [Pyro- + Gr. yellow.] (Chem.) A yellow crystalline hydrocardon extracted
from crude wood spirit; — called also eblanin.
Pyroxene
(Pyr"ox*ene) n. [F. pyroxène, from Gr. fire + a stranger; — so called because it was supposed
to the be a stranger, or of rare occurrence, in igneous rocks,] (Min.) A common mineral occurring in
monoclinic crystals, with a prismatic angle of nearly 90°, and also in massive forms which are often laminated.
It varies in color from white to dark green and black, and includes many varieties differing in color and
composition, as diopside, malacolite, salite, coccolite, augite, etc. They are all silicates of lime and magnesia
with sometimes alumina and iron. Pyroxene is an essential constituent of many rocks, especially basic
igneous rocks, as basalt, gabbro, etc.
The pyroxene group contains pyroxene proper, also the related orthorhombic species, enstatite, bronzite,
hypersthene, and various monoclinic and triclinic species, as rhodonite, etc.
Pyroxenic
(Pyr`ox*en"ic) a. [Cf. F. pyroxénique.] Containing pyroxene; composed chiefly of pyroxene.
Pyroxenite
(Py*rox"e*nite) n. (Min.) A rock consisting essentially of pyroxene.
Pyroxyle
(Py*rox"yle) n. [Cf. F. pyroxyle. See Pyroxylic, -yl.]
Pyroxylic
(Pyr`ox*yl"ic) a. [Pyro- + Gr. wood.] (Old Chem.) Derived from wood by distillation; — formerly
used in designating crude wood spirit.
Pyroxylin
(Py*rox"y*lin) n. (Chem.) A substance resembling gun cotton in composition and properties,
but distinct in that it is more highly nitrified and is soluble in alcohol, ether, etc.; — called also pyroxyle.
Pyrrhic
(Pyr"rhic) a. [L. pyrrhichius, Gr. belonging to the (sc. ) a kind of war dance.]
1. Of or pertaining to an ancient Greek martial dance. " ye have the pyrrhic dance as yet." Byron.
2. (Pros.) Of or pertaining to a pyrrhic, or to pyrrhics; containing pyrrhic; as, a pyrrhic verse.
Pyrrhic
(Pyr"rhic), n.
1. [Gr. : cf. F. pyrrhique, fem.] An ancient Greek martial dance, to the accompaniment of the flute, its
time being very quick.
2. [L. pyrrhichius Gr. (sc. ): cf. F. pyrrhique, masc.] (Pros.) A foot consisting of two short syllables.
Pyrrhicist
(Pyr"rhi*cist) n. (Gr. Antiq.) One two danced the pyrrhic.
Pyrrhonean
(Pyr*rho"ne*an Pyr*rhon"ic) a. [L. Pyrrhonêus: cf. F. pyrrhonien.] Of or pertaining to pyrrhonism.
Pyrrhonism
(Pyr"rho*nism) n. [From Pyrrho, the founder of a school of skeptics in Greece (about 300
b. c.): cf. F. pyrrhonisme.] Skepticism; universal doubt.
Pyrrhonist
(Pyr"rho*nist) n. A follower of Pyrrho; a skeptic.
Pyrrhotine
(Pyr"rho*tine Pyr"rho*tite) n. (Min.) A bronze-colored mineral, of metallic luster. It is a sulphide
of iron, and is remarkable for being attracted by the magnet. Called also magnetic pyrites.
