gypsum
UK[ˈdʒɪpsəm]US[ˈdʒɪpsəm]
n
a soft white or grey mineral used in making plaster of paris and in the building industry.
Etymology
the word 'gypsum' entered english via latin from its greek precursor 'gypsos', which denoted chalk or plaster. the greek term itself is likely a loan from a semitic source, possibly related to the arabic 'jibs', meaning plaster. the journey of this word reflects the transfer of material knowledge across mediterranean cultures, where the mineral was valued for its practical uses. its meaning has remained remarkably stable from ancient times to modern english, consistently referring to the sulfate mineral used for plaster.
Analysis
the word 'gypsum' is a simplex loanword. it is borrowed directly from latin 'gypsum', which came from greek 'gypsos', meaning 'chalk' or 'plaster'.
Examples
the walls were finished with a layer of gypsum plaster.
gypsum is a key ingredient in drywall and many types of cement.
the white sands of white sands national park are composed of gypsum crystals.