margarite

[ mahr-guh-rahyt ]

/ ˈmɑr gəˌraɪt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR margarite ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Mineralogy.

a gray, pink, or yellow mica, occurring in brittle monoclinic crystals.
an aggregate of small, rudimentary crystals resembling minute globules in a row: found in glassy volcanic rocks.

Obsolete. a pearl.

RELATED WORDS

seed, jewel, nacre

Nearby words

Origin of margarite

before 1000; Middle English, Old English: pearl < Latin margarīta < Greek margarī́tēs, perhaps < Iranian (compare Pahlavi marvārīt pearl), with final element conformed to Greek -ītēs -ite¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for margarite

These, at any rate, were Margarite's orders, duly communicated to him by Ojeda; but Margarite will have none of them.
Christopher Columbus, Complete|Filson Young
He had in all this trial experienced the results of the intrigues of Margarite and Father Boyle.
Christopher Columbus and How He Received and Imparted the Spirit of Discovery|Justin Winsor
Yet he believed that what was told pertained to men of Margarite, not to that cavalier himself.
1492|Mary Johnston
They gave us many little bags of margarite and pulverized galena, with which they rub the face.
Original Narratives of Early American History|Vaca and Others

After spending some time in this new discovery, he sailed back to Trinidad, discovering the island of Margarite by the way.
A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Vol. III|Robert Kerr

British Dictionary definitions for margarite

margarite

/ (ˈmɑːɡəˌraɪt) /

noun

a pink pearly micaceous mineral consisting of hydrated calcium aluminium silicate. Formula: CaAl 4 Si 2 O 10 (OH) 2

an aggregate of minute beadlike masses occurring in some glassy igneous rocks

Word Origin for margarite

C19: via German from Greek margaron pearl

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for margarite

margarite

"a pearl," late Old English, from Late Latin margarita (see Margaret). Figuratively, "that which is precious or excellent, a priceless quality or attribute;" also used as an epithet for Christ, Mary, etc., late 13c. Also margerie (mid-14c.).