English
hematite
Hematite comes from Middle French hematite ‘hematite (ore)’, from Ancient Greek αἱματίτης ‘blood-red stone’, and ultimately from αἷμα.
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEαἷμαhaîma‘blood’
- Ancient Greek, derivedc. 800–300 BCEαἱματίτηςhaimatítēs‘blood-red stone’
- Middle Frenchc. 1400–1600hematite‘hematite (ore)’
- Englishtodaysame form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEαἷμαhaîma‘blood’
- Ancient Greek, derivedc. 800–300 BCEαἱματίτηςhaimatítēs‘blood-red stone’
- Middle Frenchc. 1400–1600hematite‘hematite (ore)’
- Englishtodaysame form
Equivalent to hemat- + -ite
Linked words
through Ancient Greek αἷμα ‘blood’
Today it means
noun An iron ore, mainly peroxide of iron, Fe₂O₃: iron(III) oxide.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Ancient Greek αἷμα / hematite