Manganese
/ˈmæŋ.ɡəˌniːz/noun
A chemical element, symbol Mn, used in steelmaking and other industrial processes.
Did you know?The modern name ultimately passed through a medieval Latin term for an ore used by glassmakers, and its spelling was influenced by the mistaken belief that it was related to magnesium.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
μαγνησία (magnēsía)
“Magnesia, a region name associated with magnet-bearing stones and certain mineral ores”
Latin
Latin
magnesia
“A mineral substance from Magnesia; later a term for various ores and earths”
17th Century
Italian/Latin
manganese
“A term used for a mineral ore, especially in glassmaking, derived through Italian and medieval Latin forms”
18th Century
English
manganese
“The name adopted for the chemical element isolated from the ore”
Modern English
English
manganese
“The chemical element Mn”