steatite

noun ste·a·tite \ˈstē-ə-ˌtīt\

Definition of STEATITE

: a massive talc having a grayish-green or brown color : soapstone

: an electrically insulating porcelain composed largely of steatite

— ste·a·tit·ic \ˌstē-ə-ˈti-tik\ adjective

Latin steatitis, a precious stone, from Greek, from steat-, stear

First Known Use: 1794

Next Word in the Dictionary: steato-Previous Word in the Dictionary: steatinAll Words Near: steatite

What made you want to look up steatite? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears