a tough fibrous amphibole mineral: a variety of jade consisting of calcium magnesium silicate in monoclinic crystalline form. Formula: Ca2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2
Also called: kidney stone
Word origin
C18: via German Nephrit from Greek nephrós kidney, so called because it was thought to be beneficial in kidney disorders
nephrite in American English
(ˈnɛfˌraɪt)
noun
a fine-grained, greenish variety of actinolite, that is a less valuable type of jade
Word origin
Ger nephrit < Gr nephritēs, of the kidneys < nephros, kidney (see nephro-): formerly worn as a supposed remedy for kidney ailments