basanite

1 definition found

basanite - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Basanite \Bas"a*nite\, n. [L. basanites lapis, Gr. ba`sanos the
     touchstone: cf. F. basanite.] (Min.)
     Lydian stone, or black jasper, a variety of siliceous or
     flinty slate, of a grayish or bluish black color. It is
     employed to test the purity of gold, the amount of alloy
     being indicated by the color left on the stone when rubbed by
     the metal.
     [1913 Webster]