malachite

American  

[mal-uh-kahyt] / ˈmæl əˌkaɪt /

noun

1. a green mineral, basic copper carbonate, Cu 2 CO 3 (OH) 2 , an ore of copper, used for making ornamental articles.

2. a ceramic ware made in imitation of this.

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malachite British  

/ ˈmæləˌkaɪt /

noun

1. a bright green mineral, found in veins and in association with copper deposits. It is a source of copper and is used as an ornamental stone. Composition: hydrated copper carbonate. Formula: Cu 2 CO 3 (OH) 2 . Crystal structure: monoclinic

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malachite Scientific  

/ măl′ə-kīt′ /

1. A bright-green monoclinic mineral occurring as a mass of crystals (an aggregate) with smooth or botryoidal (grape-shaped) surfaces. It is often concentrically banded in different shades of green. Malachite often occurs together with the mineral azurite in copper deposits. Chemical formula: Cu ₂ CO ₃ (OH) ₂ .

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Etymology

Origin of malachite

1350–1400; < Greek malách ( ē ) mallow + -ite ¹; replacing Middle English melochites < Middle French melochite, representing Latin molochītis < Greek molochîtis, derivative of molóchē, variant of maláchē

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Explanation

Malachite is a vibrant green mineral that's formed by the weathering of copper ore in the ground. Prized as a gemstone for its striped or patterned appearance and bright color, malachite is used in jewelry. Oxidized copper gives malachite its color, and it was that brilliant green that inspired people to begin mining it as early as 4000 BCE. Malachite has been used in paint, sculpture, and jewelry for thousands of years. There are also dozens of superstitions connected to malachite, including the belief that it protects sleeping children from evil spirits. Malachite gets its name from the Greek malakhe, "mallow," a plant whose leaves are the same green hue as the stone.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

malachite

Rearing the snails - as well as other critically endangered invertebrates such as scarlet malachite beetles, ladybird spiders and tadpole shrimp - has become a family affair.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

Detailed testing is still underway, but the material resembles malachite, a copper-rich mineral that can be processed to produce copper.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 3, 2026

Unassuming from the outside, the shop opens into a huge ark of mortar-crusted brick and ribcage-like beams, with long dining tables displaying shapely vases, pitchers, teacups and plates in shades of apricot, amber and malachite.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 17, 2026

Their wings, in shades of lavender, green and red, represented certain crystals and traits: amethyst as one of calm and purity, malachite as one of protection and rose garnet for healing and love.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 14, 2025

These people used malachite as an eyelid paint.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 2: Ebert to Estremadura by Various

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Related Words

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