adamite

noun ad·am·ite \ ˈa-də-ˌmīt \

variants: or less commonly adamine \ˈa-də-ˌmēn\

Definition of adamite

plural -s

: a mineral Zn₂(OH)AsO₄ consisting of a basic zinc arsenate (hardness 3.5, specific gravity 4.34–4.35)

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Origin and Etymology of adamite

adamite, modification (influenced by -ite) of French adamine, from Gilbert-Joseph Adam †1881 French mineralogist + French -ine; adamine from French

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1866

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Adamite

noun Ad·am·ite \ ˈa-də-ˌmīt \

Definition of Adamite

plural -s

1 : a person who imitates Adam in going naked; specifically : a member of any of various ascetic sects noted for practicing ritual nakedness in secret religious assemblies and dispensing with marriage on the basis of having entered a reborn state of heavenly innocence

2 : a descendant of Adam : a human being