[ 'kaləmʌɪn ]
■ noun a pink powder consisting of zinc carbonate and ferric oxide, used to make a soothing lotion or ointment.
Origin
ME (referring to zinc ore): via OFr. from med. L. calamina , alt. of L. cadmia , from Gk kadmeia (gē) 'Cadmean (earth)', from Kadmos 'Cadmus', the name of the legendary founder of Thebes.