selenite

[ sel-uh-nahyt, si-lee-nahyt ]

noun

1. Mineralogy. a variety of gypsum, found in transparent crystals and foliated masses.
2. Chemistry. a salt of selenious acid.

selenite

/ ˈsɛlɪˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a colourless glassy variety of gypsum

Other Words From

• sel·e·nit·ic [sel-, uh, -, nit, -ik], sele·niti·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of selenite¹

1560–70; < Latin selēnītēs < Greek selēnī́tēs líthos moonstone; Selene, -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of selenite¹

C17: via Latin from Greek selēnitēs lithos moonstone, from selēnē moon; so called because it was believed to wax and wane with the moon

Example Sentences

The windows in the upper stories are made of flakes of selenite instead of glass.

From Project Gutenberg

Large crystals of selenite (sulphate of lime) occur in the Marls.

From Project Gutenberg

The selenite waxed and waned with the moon, and the meloceus, that discovers thieves, could be affected only by the blood of kids.

From Project Gutenberg

It is generally compact, forming a regular and conformable bed, with crystals of selenite (crystallized gypsum) in drusy cavities.

From Project Gutenberg

Clay, usually red, containing veins of white gypsum, and fine crystals of selenite.

From Project Gutenberg