baetyl

noun

bae·​tyl
ˈbētᵊl
variants or baetulus
ˈbēchələs
or baetylus
ˈbētᵊləs
plural baetyls
-ᵊlz
or baetuli
-chəˌlī
or baetyli
-tᵊlˌī
: a roughly shaped stone (such as a meteorite) held sacred or worshipped as of divine origin
baetylic
(ˈ)bē¦tilik
adjective

Word History

Etymology

Latin baetulus, from Greek baitylos, a sacred meteorite

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of baetyl was in 1854

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Cite this Entry

“Baetyl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baetyl. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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