Adjacent Words

Nephrite definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

NEPHRITE, n. A mineral, a subspecies of jade, of a leek green color, massive and in rolled pieces. It occurs in granite and gnesis, and is remarkable for its hardness and tenacity. It was formerly worn as a remedy for diseases of the kidneys, but is now cut into handles of sabers and daggers.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: an amphibole mineral consisting of calcium magnesium silicate in monoclinic crystalline form; a source of jade that is less valuable than from jadeite; once believed to cure kidney disorders

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: German Nephrit, from Greek nephros; from its formerly being worn as a remedy for kidney diseases Date: 1794 a compact tremolite or actinolite that is the commoner and less valuable kind of jade and that varies in color from white to dark green or black

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. a green, yellow, or white calcium magnesium silicate form of jade. Etymology: G Nephrit f. Gk nephros kidney, with ref. to its supposed efficacy in treating kidney disease

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Nephrite Neph"rite (?; 277), n. [Cf. F. n['e]phrite. See Nephritis.] (Min.) A hard compact mineral, of a dark green color, formerly worn as a remedy for diseases of the kidneys, whence its name; kidney stone; a kind of jade. See Jade.