Chem. and Min. [f. CHROME or CHROM-IUM + -ITE.]
a. Chem. A compound of sesquioxide of chromium (Cr2 O3) with the protoxide of another metal. Hence b. Min. Name for chrome iron ore (see CHROME 3).
1840. Henry, Elem. Chem., II. 61. Dr. Thomson is disposed to consider it as a bichromite of iron. Ibid., II. 64. It appears to be doubtful whether any compounds exist that can properly be called chromites.
1850. Dana, Min., 435. Chromite.
1879. Watts, Dict. Chem., I. 950. Chromic oxide unites with protoxides, forming compounds of the form M″O . Cr.2O3 or M″Cr.2O4, which may be called chromites. The best known of these compounds is chrome-iron ore, in which, however, part of the chromium is usually replaced by aluminium and sometimes by iron.
