n. [ F. calamine, LL. calamina, fr. L. Cadmia. See Cadmia. ] (min.) A mineral, the hydrous silicate of zinc. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ The name was formerly applied to both the carbonate and silicate of zinc each of which is valuabic as an ore; but it is now usually restricted to the latter, the former being called smithsonite. [ 1913 Webster ]