Malachite
/ˈmæl.ə.kaɪt/noun
A green copper carbonate mineral often found in banded formations and used as a decorative stone or pigment.
Did you know?Ancient Egyptians used malachite as green eye makeup and pigment, though its copper compounds can be hazardous when inhaled or swallowed.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
μαλαχίτης (malachítēs)
“Mallow-colored stone; a mineral named for its resemblance to the green mallow plant”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μαλάχη (maláchē)
“Mallow, the green-leaved plant whose color inspired the mineral’s name”
Classical Latin
Latin
malachites
“Malachite, borrowed from Greek”
16th Century
French
malachite
“The mineral malachite, transmitted into European vernacular usage”
16th Century
English
malachite
“A green mineral, especially one containing copper and displaying characteristic bands”
Modern English
English
malachite
“A green copper carbonate mineral used ornamentally and historically as a pigment”
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