Meanings
plural steatites
- countableuncountablechemistrySoapstone. (often synonymous; more information at soapstone § Terminology).
Though a certain kind of paper is manufactured from bamboo pulp, the usual material of the books is the palm leaf, while for ordinary notebook purposes a kind of black tablet, called a parabeik, and a steatite pencil are employed.
1876, "Burmah" in the Encyclopædia Britannica, 9th ed., Vol. IV, p. 556
Synonyms & antonyms
nouna soft heavy compact variety of talc having a soapy feel; used to make hearths and tabletops and ornaments
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
- Ancient Greekστέαρ“tallow”
- Latinsteatītis
- Englishsteatite
From Latin steatītis, from Ancient Greek στέαρ (stéar, “tallow”). By surface analysis, steat(o)- (“fat”) + -ite (“stone”).
More words from Latin, Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Catalan esteatita
- esteatitasoapstone — see also soapstone
French stéatite
- stéatitesoapstone — see also soapstone
German Steatit
- Steatitsoapstone — see also soapstone
Polish steatyt
- steatytsoapstone — see also soapstone
Turkish sabun taşı
- sabun taşısoapstone — see also soapstone
Rhymes & wordplay
Anagrams
Cite this entry
steatite. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/steatite
“steatite.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/steatite. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “steatite,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/steatite.
Source: steatite on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.