Argentite
/ˈɑːr.dʒən.taɪt/noun
A gray-black mineral form of silver sulfide, historically recognized as cubic silver sulfide.
Did you know?Argentite was once treated as the cubic form of silver sulfide, but modern mineral classification generally applies the name to minerals now called acanthite because argentite is unstable at ordinary temperatures.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂erǵ-
“To shine; bright or white metal”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἄργυρος (árgyros)
“Silver”
Classical Latin
Latin
argentum
“Silver; a shining or valuable metal”
Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin
argentum
“Silver, especially as a precious metal or monetary substance”
17th Century
English
argent
“Silver-colored; silvery, especially in heraldry”
19th Century
English
argentite
“A mineral name formed from argent-, “silver,” plus -ite, indicating a mineral”