Selenite
/ˈsɛl.ə.naɪt/noun
A transparent or translucent variety of gypsum, or a salt of selenic acid.
Did you know?Selenite comes from Greek selēnitēs, a word connected to Selēnē, the Moon goddess, because the mineral’s shimmering glow looked moonlit to ancient observers.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
selēnītēs
“of or pertaining to the Moon; moonstone”
Late Latin
Latin
selenites
“moonstone or lunar-related stone”
Middle French
French
sélénite
“moonstone; later a mineral term”
18th Century
English
selenite
“a crystalline form of gypsum; also a salt of selenic acid”
Modern English
English
selenite
“a transparent or translucent variety of gypsum, or a salt of selenic acid”
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