steatite

noun

ste·​a·​tite ˈstē-ə-ˌtīt How to pronounce steatite (audio)
1
: a massive talc having a grayish-green or brown color : soapstone
2
: an electrically insulating porcelain composed largely of steatite
steatitic adjective

Word History

Etymology

Latin steatitis, a precious stone, from Greek, from steat-, stear

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of steatite was in 1794

Dictionary Entries Near steatite

Cite this Entry

“Steatite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steatite. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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