sylvite

noun

syl·​vite ˈsil-ˌvīt How to pronounce sylvite (audio)
variants or less commonly sylvine
: a mineral that is a natural potassium chloride and occurs in colorless cubes or crystalline masses

Word History

Etymology

alteration of sylvine, from French, from New Latin sal digestivus Sylvii digestive salt of Sylvius, from Sylvius latinized name of Jacques Dubois †1555 French physician

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sylvite was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near sylvite

Cite this Entry

“Sylvite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sylvite. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on sylvite

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!