adamite

1 of 3

noun (1)

ad·am·ite

ˈa-də-ˌmīt

variants or less commonly adamine

ˈa-də-ˌmēn

plural -s

: a mineral Zn₂(OH)AsO₄ consisting of a basic zinc arsenate (hardness 3.5, specific gravity 4.34–4.35)

Adamite

2 of 3

noun (2)

Ad·am·ite

ˈa-də-ˌmīt

plural -s

: a person who imitates Adam in going naked

specifically : a member of any of various ascetic sects noted for practicing ritual nakedness in secret religious assemblies and dispensing with marriage on the basis of having entered a reborn state of heavenly innocence

: a descendant of Adam : a human being

Adamite

3 of 3

adjective

Ad·am·ite

ˈa-də-ˌmīt

: of, relating to, or descended from Adam

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

adamite, modification (influenced by -ite) of French adamine, from Gilbert-Joseph Adam †1881 French mineralogist + French -ine; adamine from French

Noun (2)

Adam, the biblical first man + English -ite

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1866, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1542, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1719, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of adamite was in 1542

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Adamite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adamite. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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adamite

noun (1)

noun (2)

adjective

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near adamite