ˈkaləˌmīn, _mə̇n noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: French, from Medieval Latin calamina, alteration of Latin cadmia, Greek kadmeia, literally, Cadmean (earth), Theban (earth)
1. obsolete
a. Britain : smithsonite
b. : hemimorphite
c. : hydrozincite
2. : an alloy of zinc, lead, and tin formerly used for coating iron to prevent oxidation
3. : a pink powder consisting of a mixture of zinc oxide with a small amount of ferric oxide used in lotions, liniments, and ointments in skin treatment