An orthorhombic mineral, alpha-Fe₃₊O(OH) ; polymorphous with akaganeite, feroxyhyte, and lepidocrocite; dull to adamantine, varicolored with yellow ocher streak; a common weathering product of iron-bearing minerals; precipitates in bogs and springs; a major constituent of limonite and gossans, and a source of iron and a yellow ochre pigment. A hydrous oxide mineral of iron. Also spelled goethite, gothite. Formerly called allcharite; xanthosiderite. Compare: bog iron