magnesia

(mag nēz̸hə, -s̸hə)

noun

  1. magnesium oxide, MgO, a white, tasteless powder, used as a mild laxative and antacid, and as an insulating substance, in firebrick, etc.
  2. hydrated magnesium carbonate, also used as a laxative

Origin: ModL magnesia (alba), lit., (white) magnesia (in contrast to ML magnesia, a black mineral < LGr magnēsia < Magnēsia, Magnesia): term substituted by F. Hoffmann (1660-1742), Ger physician, for ModL magnes carneus, lit., flesh-magnet (see magnet & carnal): so named from clinging to the lips

Related Forms:

Manisa

See magnesia in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
Magnesium oxide.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, mineral ingredient of the philosophers' stone

Origin: , from Medieval Latin magnēsia

Origin: , from Greek magnēsiā, a kind of ore

Origin: , from Magnēsiā, Magnesia, an ancient city of Asia Minor

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Related Forms:

  • mag·neˈsian adjective

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