Malachite

Origin

From Latin molochitis, from Ancient Greek μαλαχή (malakhe, "of the ... mallow plant"). Or, could be from Hebrew מלאך "angel" or "messenger of God" , or, perhaps hailing from another Ancient Greek term, μαλαχ- "fingers" .

Full definition of malachite

Noun

1. (mineralogy) A bright green mineral, a basic copper carbonate, Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂

• 2012-03, Lee A. Groat, Gemstones, Although there are dozens of different types of gems, among the best known and most important are … . (Common gem materials not addressed in this article include amber, amethyst, chalcedony, garnet, lazurite, malachite, opals, peridot, rhodonite, spinel, tourmaline, turquoise and zircon.)
1. A mild green colour, like that of the mineral.

Derived terms

• pseudomalachite

Adjective

1. From olive-taupe to that of a mild to deeply-rich -- at times seemingly translucent -- green colour, like that of the mineral which is present on oxidized copper.