Căl'a-mīne, n.

(Synop., § 130), n. [Fr. calamine, Sp. & L. Lat. calamina, N. Lat. lapis calaminaris, M. H. Ger. calmei, N. H. Ger. galmei, from Lat. cadmia, d having been, as it often is, changed into l. See CADMIA.] (Min.) A mineral, the silicate of zinc.

☞ The name was formerly applied to both the carbonate and the silicate of zinc, each of which is an earthy-grayish or whitish mineral, and is valuable as an ore; but it is now restricted to the latter. Dana.