Meaning & use
steatite
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountabletechnical
A soft gray-green rock made mostly of talc that feels smooth or slightly greasy and is easy to carve.
Grammar: Names a material, so it usually has no article and no plural: steatite is carved.
Patterns
- carve steatite
- a piece of steatite
- steatite vessel
The museum displays a small steatite bowl shaped with simple tools.
Artisans value steatite because it can be cut before it hardens.
Archaeologists found steatite ornaments near the old settlement.
Common combinations
- carve steatite
- It takes patience to carve steatite into a smooth pendant.
- steatite vessel
- A steatite vessel can hold oil without leaking after firing.
- steatite quarry
- The ancient steatite quarry supplied stone for ceremonial objects.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- steatitic adjective
- Describing rock that contains or resembles steatite.
Commonly confused: steatite or stalactite?
steatite vs stalactite
A stalactite hangs from a cave roof; steatite is a soft talc-rich rock.
Practice
Which sentence uses steatite correctly?
Choose one answer.
Steatite is an uncountable material, so 'Steatite is easy to carve' fits. 'Two steatites' wrongly treats it as countable, while the other options use the wrong words.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “steatite”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.