smithsonite

[ smith-suh-nahyt ]

/ ˈsmɪθ səˌnaɪt /

Save This Word!

noun Mineralogy.

a native carbonate of zinc, ZnCO3, that is an important ore of the metal.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of smithsonite

1825–35; named after J. Smithson (who distinguished it from calamine); see -ite¹

Words nearby smithsonite

Smithfield ham, Smith Island, Smith, Joseph, Smithson, Smithsonian Institution, smithsonite, Smithtown, smithy, smitten, Smitty, S.M.M.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use smithsonite in a sentence

Smithsonite is a carbonate much resembling, and often found with, calamine.
The A B C of Mining|Charles A. Bramble
Zinc occurs in nature most commonly as sulphide (blende); it also occurs as carbonate (calamine) and silicate (smithsonite).
A Textbook of Assaying: For the Use of Those Connected with Mines.|Cornelius Beringer and John Jacob Beringer

British Dictionary definitions for smithsonite

smithsonite

/ (ˈsmɪθsəˌnaɪt) /

noun

a white mineral consisting of zinc carbonate in hexagonal crystalline form: occurs chiefly in dry limestone regions and is a source of zinc. Formula: ZnCO 3Also called (US): calamine

Word Origin for smithsonite

C19: named after James Smithson

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