English
acanthite
Acanthite comes from Ancient Greek ἄκανθα ‘thorn’.
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEἄκανθαákantha‘thorn’
- Englishtodayacanthite
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEἄκανθαákantha‘thorn’
- Englishtodayacanthite
Formed from -ite
The story
Named in 1855, from Ancient Greek ἄκανθα (ákantha, “thorn”) + -ite, because of the crystal shapes.
Every English word from Ancient Greek ἄκανθα
Today it means
noun A mineral form of silver sulfide, Ag₂S, that is a major ore of silver, that forms slender prisms.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Ancient Greek ἄκανθα / acanthite