magnesic

Variant of magnesia

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:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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