"A transparent or translucent kind of stone known to the ancient world, probably crystallized gypsum or alabaster. Now historical", Early 17th cent.; earliest use found in Philemon Holland (1552–1637), translator. From classical Latin phengītēs (Pliny) from Hellenistic Greek ϕεγγίτης phengite, selenite, or crystallized gypsum from ancient Greek ϕέγγος light, lustre, moonlight (of uncertain origin) + -ίτης.[phengite etymology, phengite origin, 英语词源]