kaolinite
|ka-o-li-nite|
/ˌkeɪəˈlaɪnaɪt/
white clay mineral
Etymology
'kaolinite' ultimately derives from 'kaolin' (plus the mineral-suffix '-ite'). 'Kaolin' itself comes from the Chinese placename 'Gaoling' (高嶺 / Gāolǐng), where 'gao' meant 'high' and 'ling' meant 'ridge'.
'Kaolinite' was formed in English in the 19th century by combining the word 'kaolin' (borrowed into European languages from Chinese via Portuguese/French contact) with the Greek-derived suffix '-ite' used for minerals; thus Chinese 'Gaoling' → European 'kaolin' → English 'kaolinite'.
Originally the term referred to the clay from the Gaoling region ('clay from Gaoling'), but over time it came to denote the specific mineral (hydrated aluminum silicate) and the fine white clay product used industrially.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a white clay mineral, a hydrated aluminum silicate (chemical formula Al2Si2O5(OH)4), commonly found in soils and weathered rocks.
The geologist identified several veins of kaolinite in the outcrop.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a fine white clay or powdered form used commercially in ceramics, porcelain, paper coatings, paints, and cosmetics.
Manufacturers add kaolinite to the paper coating to improve brightness and smoothness.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/23 03:09