agalmatolite Min.
(ægælˈmætəlaɪt)
[mod. f. Gr. ἄγαλµα, -ατος, statue, image + λίθος stone.]
A name applied to various soft minerals, capable of being easily carved; properly the ‘Figure-stone’ or Pagodite, in which figures are cut by the Chinese.
| 1832 Nat. Philos. II. 28 (U.K.S.) Pyrometric pieces formed of Chinese agalmatolite. 1857 Birch Anc. Pottery (1858) I. 97 The substance chiefly employed [to glaze] was agalmatolite or steaschist. 1875 Ure Dict. Arts s.v., The true agalmatolite is a hydrous silicate of alumina and potash, closely allied to pinite. |