essonite

[ es-uh-nahyt ]

noun

1. Mineralogy. a variety of grossularite garnet.

essonite

/ ˈɛsəˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a variant spelling of hessonite

Word History and Origins

Origin of essonite¹

1810–20; < French < Greek hḗssōn less, inferior + -ītēs -ite ¹

Example Sentences

And there reflection struck down a rich inlay that sard could not excel: not sard, agate, essonite, chalcedony, in master work of lapidaries; for the sombre rocks were dressed with the deep crimson of sea-moss, velvet fine.

From Project Gutenberg

CINNAMON-STONE, a variety of garnet, belonging to the lime-alumina type, known also as essonite or hessonite, from the Gr. ἣσσων, “inferior,” in allusion to its being less hard and less dense than most other garnet.

From Project Gutenberg