How Do You Spell GALALITH?

Pronunciation: [ɡˈalɐlˌɪθ] (IPA)

Galalith is a type of synthetic or man-made plastic, often used in jewelry or ornaments. Its spelling may seem unusual, but can be broken down phonetically as "găl-ə-lĭth." The first syllable is pronounced with a short "ă" sound, followed by a subdued "l" and a stressed "ə." The second syllable starts with a soft "l" and ends with a hard "th" sound. Despite its unique spelling, galalith is a popular material due to its durability and versatility.

GALALITH Meaning and Definition

1. Galalith is a noun that refers to a type of synthetic plastic material that was popularly used in the early 20th century. The term is derived from the Greek words "gala" meaning milk and "lithos" meaning stone, indicating its milk-like appearance and stone-like hardness. It is also known as milk stone or casein plastic.

   Galalith was first developed in the late 1890s by a French chemist named Auguste Trillat. It is produced by combining casein, a protein found in milk, with formaldehyde. The resulting material is molded and hardened to create a durable and versatile substance that resembles natural materials like ivory, horn, or tortoiseshell. It can be dyed to imitate a range of colors, making it an attractive alternative to expensive natural materials.

   Due to its properties, galalith found wide applications in various industries. It was commonly used for manufacturing buttons, jewelry, combs, and various decorative objects. Its ability to be easily shaped and polished made it a popular choice for artisans and designers. Galalith's popularity continued until the mid-20th century when it was gradually replaced by more advanced synthetic materials like Bakelite.

   By its nature, galalith is a non-toxic material, which makes it a favorable choice for environmentally conscious consumers. Its historical significance, along with its unique appearance and versatility, make it a sought-after material for collectors and vintage enthusiasts.

2. Paracasein hardened by formalin, employed in the manufacture of absorbable intestinal anastomosis buttons, and for other purposes.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for GALALITH

• falalith
• valalith
• balalith
• halalith
• yalalith
• talalith
• gzlalith
• gslalith
• gwlalith
• gqlalith
• gakalith
• gapalith
• gaoalith
• galzlith
• galslith
• galwlith
• galqlith
• galakith
• galapith
• galaoith

Etymology of GALALITH

The word "galalith" derives from the Greek word "gala" meaning "milk" and the Greek word "lithos" meaning "stone". It was coined by Adolph Spitteler, a Swiss chemist, in 1897. Galalith, also known as "milkstone" or "erinoid", is a synthetic material that resembles natural horn or ivory and was used as a substitute for these materials in various applications.

Plural form of GALALITH is GALALITHS