Definition of NEPHRITE

nephrite

Plural: nephrites

Noun

  • A form of jade, a green mineral often used for carvings.
  • an amphibole mineral consisting of calcium magnesium silicate in monoclinic crystalline form; a source of jade that is less valuable than from jadeite; once believed to cure kidney disorders
  • A semi-precious stone, one of the two types of stone commonly referred to as jade (the other being jadeite).

Examples

  • The rare combination of letters for NEPHRITE surprised his Words With Friends opponent.

Origin / Etymology

From Latin lapis nephriticus, via Ancient Greek λίθος (líthos) νεφριτικός (nephritikós), meaning kidney stone, because jade was believed to have cured kidney stones.

Scrabble Score: 13

nephrite: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
nephrite: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
nephrite: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

nephrite: valid Words With Friends Word