malachite

plural malachites

1. countableuncountablechemistryA bright green mineral, a basic copper carbonate, Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂; one of the principal ores of copper.

   The copper ore malachite is copper carbonate hydroxide, Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂. Particularly pretty examples of malachite are carved into art, but most of it is crushed for its copper.

   2014, Theodore Gray, photography by Nick Mann, Molecules: The Elements and the Architecture of Everything, 2018 Paperback Edition, page 95

   1 more example

   Although there are dozens of different types of gems, among the best known and most important are […] . (Common gem materials not addressed in this article include amber, amethyst, chalcedony, garnet, lazurite, malachite, opals, peridot, rhodonite, spinel, tourmaline, turquoise and zircon.)

   2012 March 28, Lee A. Groat, “Gemstones”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, archived from the original on 14 Jun 2012, page 128

   Synonyms: green mineral

2. countableuncountableA mild green color, like that of the mineral.

comparative more malachite · superlative most malachite

1. Of a color ranging from olive-taupe to a mild to deeply-rich (at times seemingly translucent) green, like that of the mineral which is present on oxidized copper.