magnesian
|mag-ne-si-an|
🇺🇸
/mæɡˈniːziən/
🇬🇧
/mæɡˈniːzjən/
related to magnesium / from Magnesia
Etymology
'magnesian' originates from New Latin/Modern Latin, ultimately from 'Magnesia' (the place name), which itself comes from Greek 'Magnēsia' referring to the region Magnesia.
The element 'magnesium' and related adjectives developed from the place name 'Magnesia' (Greek Magnēsia). Scientific Latin forms (e.g. New Latin 'magnesius'/'magnesianus') passed into English as 'magnesian' in technical usage (geology/chemistry).
Initially it referred to things 'of or from Magnesia' (the region). Over time, especially in science, it shifted to mean 'containing or relating to magnesium'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
(1) A person from Magnesia (historical/demographic). (2) A substance or compound containing magnesium (rare/technical usage).
Early texts referred to a Magnesian who traded in magnesian salts from the region.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
relating to or containing magnesium (or magnesia); used in geology and chemistry (e.g., magnesian limestone).
The area is underlain by magnesian limestone that contains a high proportion of magnesium carbonate.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/22 11:13