‖ aeˈtites Obs.
[a. L. āetītēs, a. Gr. ἀετῑ́της prop. adj. ‘of the eagle, aquiline,’ subst. ‘eagle stone’.]
The eagle-stone; a hollow nodule or pebble of argillaceous oxide of iron, having a loose nucleus, which derived its name from being fabled to be found in the eagle's nest, and to which medicinal and magical properties were ascribed.
| 1579 Lyly Euphues (1636) F 9 The precious stone ætites which is found in the filthy nests of the Eagle. 1626 Bacon Sylva §154 The ætites or Eagles Stone, which hath a little Stone within it. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s.v., Dr. Woodward places the distinguishing characteristic of the ætites, in that it consists of several crusts, which have in them a cavity with matter in it, loose and moveable. 1862 Reader 8 July 33 Another stone, the Aetites, possessed the singular property..of detecting theft. |