nephrite

[ nef-rahyt ]

noun

1. Mineralogy. a compact or fibrous variety of actinolite, varying from whitish to dark green: a form of jade.

nephrite

/ ˈnɛfraɪt /

noun

1. a tough fibrous amphibole mineral: a variety of jade consisting of calcium magnesium silicate in monoclinic crystalline form. Formula: Ca 2 Mg 5 Si 8 O 22 (OH) 2 Also calledkidney stone

nephrite

/ nĕf′rīt′ /

1. A green to blue variety of jade. Nephrite is an amphibole and is the least precious form of jade. Chemical formula: Ca 2 (Mg,Fe) 5 Si 8 O 22 (OH) 2 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of nephrite¹

From the German word Nephrit, dating back to 1785–95. See nephr-, -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of nephrite¹

C18: via German Nephrit from Greek nephrós kidney, so called because it was thought to be beneficial in kidney disorders

Example Sentences

Beside the commoner minerals five to eight per cent of implements made of nephritoids (nephrite, jadeite, and chloromelanite).

From Project Gutenberg

It is a kind of nephrite or jade, a mineral which usually occurs in talcose or magnesian rocks.

From Project Gutenberg

Spleen′ishness, the state of being spleenish; Spleen′-stone, jade or nephrite; Spleen′wort, any fern of the genus Asplenium.

From Project Gutenberg

This celt is of a mottled green "marble resembling onyx" (probably serpentine or nephrite) 400 mm.

From Project Gutenberg

Objects made of nephrite and whale's bone are lacking in the Yakima Valley.

From Project Gutenberg