Magnesia
/mæɡˈniː.zi.ə/noun
A white mineral or compound containing magnesium, especially magnesium oxide or carbonate.
Did you know?The name ultimately comes from Magnesia in Asia Minor, a region associated in ancient tradition with magnet-bearing stones, which is why this word sits at the crossroads of chemistry and ancient magnetic myth.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Μαγνησία
“Magnesia, the name of places in Asia Minor and Thessaly”
Latin
Latin
magnesia
“A mineral substance from Magnesia; later used for various white earthy materials”
Late Latin / Medieval Latin
Latin
magnes
“Magnet or lodestone, influenced by the association with Magnesia”
16th-17th Century
English
magnesia
“A medicinal or chemical white powder, especially magnesium compounds”
Modern English
English
magnesia
“A white mineral substance, especially magnesium oxide or carbonate”