ˈsfaləˌrīt noun
( -s )
Etymology: German sphalerit, from Greek sphaleros deceitful, tripping, slippery (from sphallein to cause to fall) + German -it -ite; from its being often mistaken for galena — more at spill
: a widely distributed ore of zinc composed essentially of zinc sulfide ZnS but often containing iron, manganese, or other elements, occurring in isometric crystals or cleavable masses of resinous to adamantine luster and commonly yellow, brown, or black color, and having highly perfect dodecahedral cleavage (hardness 3.5-4, specific gravity 3.9-4.1) — called also blackjack, blende, false galena