jadeite
UK[ˈdʒeɪdaɪt]US[ˈdʒeɪdaɪt]
n
a hard, typically green stone, a variety of jade, consisting of a sodium- and aluminium-rich pyroxene mineral.
n
the mineral itself, which is valued as a gemstone and for carving.
Morpheme Breakdown
jade
ite
jade
flanks, groin
ite
Etymology
the word 'jadeite' is a modern mineralogical term formed by appending the suffix '-ite' to the base word 'jade'. 'jade' itself entered english from french, but its ultimate origin is the spanish phrase 'piedra de ijada', meaning 'stone of the flank', as it was believed to cure ailments of the loins and kidneys. the spanish 'ijada' (flank) derives from the latin 'ilia', the plural of 'ileum' (intestine, flank). the suffix '-ite', of greek origin, is standard in geology for naming minerals and rocks. thus, 'jadeite' literally means 'the mineral of the jade type', linking the stone's historical medicinal folklore to its modern scientific classification.
Analysis
Structure: jade + ite
jade (from spanish 'piedra de ijada', meaning 'stone of the flank/loin'; via french 'le jade'; origin: latin 'ilia', meaning 'flanks, groin') + ite (english suffix from greek '-ites', denoting minerals, rocks, or fossils).
Examples
the intricate carving was made from a single piece of translucent jadeite.
nephrite and jadeite are the two distinct minerals commonly referred to as jade.
the most prized variety of jadeite is a vibrant emerald-green known as imperial jade.