What does "nephrite" mean?
A semi-precious stone, one of the two types of stone commonly referred to as jade (the other being jadeite).
Nephrite
/ˈnɛfˌɹaɪt/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A semi-precious stone, one of the two types of stone commonly referred to as jade (the other being jadeite).
- Grammar: nephrite is listed as noun.
- Usage evidence: Occurrences of nephrite are more numerous. China’s most important source throughout its history has been the region of Khotan (Ho-t‘ien) and Yarkand in Central Asia. In more recent times the Chinese have also imported nephrite from the neighbourhood of Lake Baikal in Eastern Siberia.
How to use "nephrite"
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Meaning check
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Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "nephrite" in a final draft.
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Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 A semi-precious stone, one of the two types of stone commonly referred to as jade (the other being jadeite). countable, uncountable
"Occurrences of nephrite are more numerous. China’s most important source throughout its history has been the region of Khotan (Ho-t‘ien) and Yarkand in Central Asia. In more recent times the Chinese have also imported nephrite from the neighbourhood of Lake Baikal in Eastern Siberia."
- 2 an amphibole mineral consisting of calcium magnesium silicate in monoclinic crystalline form; a source of jade that is less valuable than from jadeite; once believed to cure kidney disorders wordnet
Example
"Occurrences of nephrite are more numerous. China’s most important source throughout its history has been the region of Khotan (Ho-t‘ien) and Yarkand in Central Asia. In more recent times the Chinese have also imported nephrite from the neighbourhood of Lake Baikal in Eastern Siberia."
Common questions
How do you use "nephrite" in a sentence?
Occurrences of nephrite are more numerous. China’s most important source throughout its history has been the region of Khotan (Ho-t‘ien) and Yarkand in Central Asia. In more recent times the Chinese have also imported nephrite from the neighbourhood of Lake Baikal in Eastern Siberia.
How do you pronounce "nephrite"?
Pronounced /ˈnɛfˌɹaɪt/.
Etymology
From Latin lapis nephriticus, via Ancient Greek λίθος (líthos) νεφριτικός (nephritikós), meaning kidney stone, because jade was believed to have cured kidney stones.