Chem. Also (obs.) barita. [f. next: see quot. Cf. also BARIA.] The protoxide of barium; an alkaline earth distinguished by its great weight.
1809. Young, in Phil. Trans., XCIX. 151. Phosphate of barita. Ibid., 154. Barytes, as a single Greek word, means weight … but as the name of a stone, accented on the second syllable, it must be written barites; and the pure earth may properly be called barita.
1812. Sir H. Davy, Chem. Philos., 338. Witherite, or carbonate of baryta.
attrib. 1877. W. Thomson, Voy. Challenger, I. i. 26. Baryta-water of known strength.
