zeolite, n.

zeolite
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zeolite_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2018

# zeolitenoun

## Earlier version

- zeolite in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the noun zeolite mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun zeolite. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

### How common is the noun zeolite?

About 1occurrence per million words in modern written English

1770 | 0.18
1780 | 0.33
1790 | 0.5
1800 | 0.6
1810 | 0.46
1820 | 0.33
1830 | 0.16
1840 | 0.15
1850 | 0.13
1860 | 0.12
1870 | 0.11
1880 | 0.12
1890 | 0.15
1900 | 0.2
1910 | 0.28
1920 | 0.41
1930 | 0.62
1940 | 0.74
1950 | 0.73
1960 | 0.69
1970 | 0.91
1980 | 1.2
1990 | 1.3
2000 | 1.2
2010 | 1.1

### How is the noun zeolite pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈziːəlʌɪt/
ZEE-uh-light

#### U.S. English

/ˈziəˌlaɪt/
ZEE-uh-light

### Where does the noun zeolite come from?

Earliest known use

late 1700s

The earliest known use of the noun zeolite is in the late 1700s.

OED's earliest evidence for zeolite is from 1770, in a translation by G. von Engeström and E. M. da Costa.

zeolite is of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from Swedish. Partly a borrowing from Latin.

Etymons: Swedish zeolit; Latin zeolites.

### Nearby entries

1. Zenonism, n.² 1935–
2. zenzi-, comb. form
3. zenzic, n. & adj. 1557–71
4. zenzicube, adj. & n. 1557–1690
5. zenzicubic, adj. 1557–71
6. zenzicubicube, n. a1690
7. zenzizenzic, adj. & n. 1557–1690
8. zenzizenzicube, n. a1690
9. zenzizenzicubic, adj. a1690
10. zenzizenzizenzic, n. 1557–1690
11. zeolite, n.1770–
12. zeolitic, adj. 1782–
13. zeolitical, adj. 1788–
14. zeolitically, adv. 1926–
15. zeolitiform, adj. 1788–
16. zeolitization, n. 1879–
17. zeolitize, v. 1881–
18. zeolitized, adj. 1888–
19. Zephiran, n. 1935–
20. Zéphirine Drouhin, n. 1901–
21. zephyr, n. Old English–

## Etymology

### Summary

Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from Swedish. Partly a borrowing from Latin.
Etymons: Swedish zeolit; Latin zeolites.
< (i) Swedish zeolit (1758) and its etymon (ii) post-classical Latin zeolites (A. F. Cronstedt 1756, in Kungl. Svenska Vetenskaps-Akademiens handlingar vol. 16 120) < ancient Greek ζεῖν to boil, seethe (< the…
< (i) Swedish zeolit (1758) and its etymon (ii) post-classical Latin zeolites (A. F. Cronstedt 1756, in Kungl. Svenska Vetenskaps-Akademiens handlingar vol. 16 120) < ancient Greek ζεῖν to boil, seethe (< the same Indo-European base as yeast n.) + post-classical Latin ‑lites ‑lite comb. form1. The mineral was so called because it boiled and swelled when heated with a blowpipe.

### Notes

Compare German Zeolit (1770; < Swedish).

## Meaning & use

Geology and Chemistry.

1. 1770–
   Originally: any of certain silicate minerals having the property of swelling up, giving off water, and fusing when heated. In later use more widely: any of a large group of minerals comprising hydrated aluminosilicates of sodium, potassium, calcium, and barium whose crystal structures are open frameworks with channels and spaces which can hold water molecules; (also) any synthetic compound having similar properties or uses.
   Zeolites can be readily dehydrated (by heating) and rehydrated, and are used as cation exchangers and molecular sieves. Examples of natural zeolites include analcime, chabazite, heulandite, natrolite, stilbite, and thomsonite.
   α forms
   1. 1770

      > If concentrated oil of vitriol is poured on pounded zeolites [Sw. Zeolit], a heat arises.

      G. von Engeström & E. M. da Costa, translation of A. F. Cronstedt, Essay System of Mineralogy 116
   2. 1777

      > Zeolites. This name is given by Mr. Cronstedt to a stone described by him in the Transactions of the Academy of Sciences at Stockholm for the year 1756, the peculiar properties of which have induced that mineralogist to consider it as forming a distinct order of earths, called zeolites.

      Dictionary Chemistry vol. III. X 8
   β forms
   1. 1777

      > The sparry zeolyte from the Ferro Isles.

      J. Priestley, Experiments & Observations Air vol. III. 39
   2. 1789

      > Red scintilant zeolite from Edelfors.

      R. Kerr, translation of A. Lavoisier, Elements of Chemistry 497
   3. 1803

      > This Zeolite, found in the rocks of Edinburgh Castle.

      Edinburgh Review January 510
   4. 1811

      > There appear to be several varieties, viz. mealy zeolite, lamellar or foliated, and radiated.

      T. Dwight, Statistical Account New Haven vol. I. i. 9
   5. 1880

      > Tabular trap, which..contains abundant zeolites.

      S. Haughton, Six Lectures on Physical Geography v. 214 (note)
   6. 1880

      > Crocalite..is a red zeolite, identical with the bergmannite of Laurvig.

      J. D. Dana, Mineralogy 427
   7. 1913

      > Zeolites are represented in the deposits of very deep water..by phillipsite, a silicate of calcium and aluminium.

      J. Murray, Ocean ix. 223
   8. 1933

      > The effluent..is then passed through a special zeolite which exchanges sodium for the basic nitrogen in the sewage.

      R. S. Weston in Twenty-Five Years Chem. Engin. Prography (1968) (American Inst. Chem. Engineers) xxiii. 327
   9. 1956

      > The polymer can then be used as a ‘zeolite’ or ion-exchange water-softening agent.

      E. G. Couzens & V. E. Yarsley, Plastics in Service Man 98
   10. 1990

       > Petrographically, these basanites are similar to the transitional nephelinites at Bow Hill, although they are richer in zeolite (analcime).

       Journal of Petrology vol. 31 1203
   11. 2011

       > Zeolites are also used for filtering oil.

       W. L. Pohl, Econ. Geology iii. 366/1
   chemistry geology minerals
   1. zeolite 1770–
      Originally: any of certain silicate minerals having the property of swelling up, giving off water, and fusing when heated. In later use more widely…
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈziːəlʌɪt/
ZEE-uh-light

### U.S. English

/ˈziəˌlaɪt/
ZEE-uh-light

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Forms

### Variant forms

##### α.

1. 1700s–1800s
   zeolites

##### β.

1. 1700s–1800s
   zeolyte (irregular)
2. 1700s–
   zeolite

## Frequency

zeolite typically occurs about once per million words in modern written English.

zeolite is in frequency band 5, which contains words occurring between 1 and 10 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of zeolite, n., 1770–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1770 | 0.18
1780 | 0.33
1790 | 0.5
1800 | 0.6
1810 | 0.46
1820 | 0.33
1830 | 0.16
1840 | 0.15
1850 | 0.13
1860 | 0.12
1870 | 0.11
1880 | 0.12
1890 | 0.15
1900 | 0.2
1910 | 0.28
1920 | 0.41
1930 | 0.62
1940 | 0.74
1950 | 0.73
1960 | 0.69
1970 | 0.91
1980 | 1.2
1990 | 1.3
2000 | 1.2
2010 | 1.1

### Frequency of zeolite, n., 2017–2024

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the corpus.

Period | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
2017 | 0.11
2018 | 0.13
2019 | 0.15
2020 | 0.16
2021 | 0.19
2022 | 0.2
2023 | 0.21
2024 | 0.2

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. zeolitic, adj. 1782–
   Of or relating to zeolites; of the nature of a zeolite.

1. zeolitical, adj. 1788–
   Of or relating to zeolites; of the nature of a zeolite.

1. zeolitiform, adj. 1788–
   Having the form of a zeolite; resembling that of…

1. needle zeolite, n. 1805–
   A variety of zeolite (now regarded as identical…

1. mealy zeolite, n. 1807–
   a. = natrolite, n.; b. = mesolite, n.

1. euzeolite, n. 1832–
   (See quots.)

1. zeolitization, n. 1879–
   A process (typically a natural one) by which a…

1. zeolitize, v. 1881–
   transitive. To convert (a rock or mineral) into a…

1. 1842–
   General attributive and instrumental.
   1. 1842

      > Chabasie and other minerals of the zeolite family.

      T. Graham, Elements of Chemistry i. iii. 145
   2. 1880

      > The lower of these [sc. flows] is very decomposed, and contains zeolite crystals (Chabasite).

      Maps to accompany Annual Rep. Department of Mines New South Wales 1879 2
   3. 1938

      > The Permutit Process involves the passage of the water through an artificially prepared compound, similar in composition to the natural zeolite mineral.

      R. Hum, Chemistry for Engineering Students xxii. 611
   4. 1987

      > The large family of possible zeolite structures that can be constructed.

      Nature 29 October 821/2
   5. 2002

      > Analysis of the biological and chemical reactivity of zeolite-based aluminosilicate fibers and particulates.

      Environmental Health Perspectives vol. 110 1087 (title)
   6. 2006

      > Pressure swing adsorption for oxygen separation uses synthetic zeolite molecular sieves to adsorb selectively water, CO2, and nitrogen.

      V. Smil, Transforming 20th Century iii. 118
   chemistry geology

zeolite, n. was revised in June 2018.

zeolite, n. was last modified in December 2024.