A mineral form of tin oxide (SnO₂) that is the primary ore from which tin metal is extracted.
From Greek kassiteros (tin) + -ite (suffix for minerals). The Greeks used this word for tin sourced from distant lands, possibly referring to Cornwall or the Cassiterides (Tin Islands).
Cassiterite was so valuable that the ancient Greeks called the distant tin sources 'Cassiterides'—tin was as precious as gold for making bronze, the material of an entire historical age.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.